REMARKS 


ON  THE 


i  STATISTICS  AND  POLITICAL  INSTITUTIONS 


OF  THE 


-"         S '  ^ 

UNITED    STATES, 


WITH 


SOME  OBSERVATIONS  ON  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  SYSTEM  OF 
AMERICA,  HER  SOURCES  OF  REVENUE,  &c. 


TO  WHICH  AEE  ADDED 


STATISTICAL  TABLES,  &c. 


BY 


WILLIAM  G.  CJIJSELEY,  ESQ. 

ATTACHE  TO  HIS  MAJESTY'S  LEGATION  AT  WASHINGTON, 


CAREY  &  LEA— CHESTNUT  STREET. 

1832. 


"  Elles  (les  lois)  doivent  etre  tellement  propres  au  peuple  pour  lequel  elles  sont  faites,  que 
c'est  un  tres-graud  hasard  si  celles  d'une  nation  peuvent  convenir  a  une  autre. 

"  II  faut  qu'elles  se  rapportent  a  la  nature  et  au  principe  du  gouvernement  qui  est  etabli, 
on  qu'on  veut  etablir."— MONTESQUIEU,  Esprit  dea  Lois— Liv.  I.  chap.  iii. 


Philadelphia . 

James  Kay,  Jun.  &  Co.,  Printers, 
No.  4,  Minor  Street. 


INTRODUCTION. 


ENGLISHMEN  are  accused  by  the  Americans  of 
viewing  their  country  only  through  a  medium  of 
strong  and  generally  hostile  prejudice,  or  of  describ 
ing  it  with  intentional  misrepresentation.  Those 
who  are  obnoxious  to  such  imputations  are  little 
likely  to  allow  their  justice ;  men  do  not  readily 
confess  their  prejudices,  and  bad  faith  is  still  less  easy 
of  conviction.  In  either  case,  a  tu-quoque  of  mu 
tual  recrimination  is  generally  the  only  result  of 
unmeasured  censure.  Of  any  intention  to  mislead 
the  reader  of  the  following  remarks,  on  the  subject 
of  the  United  States,  I  need  hardly  say  that  I  am 
utterly  unconscious.  The  statements  now  pub 
lished  are,  almost  without  exception,  supported  by 
the  authorities  of  able  writers.  Whether  I  am 
liable  to  the  accusation  of  prejudice  must  be  de 
cided  by  the  judgment  of  others. 

It  is  allowable,  however,  to  state,  that  if  mycoun- 


IV 


trymen  are  justly  chargeable  with  suffering  their 
opinions  to  be  biassed  by  the  peculiar  feelings  and 
prepossessions  of  England,  on  leaving  it  for  the  first 
time,  I  am  less  likely  than  many  others  to  have 
been  influenced  by  such  a  circumstance.  From 
early  youth  the  far  greater  part  of  my  life  has 
been  passed  out  of  England,  and  in  the  diplomatic 
service  of  my  country ;  and  before  my  visit  to 
America  I  had  seen  most  of  the  countries  of 
Europe. 

Yet  still  it  must  be  confessed  that  I  did  not  arrive 
in  the  United  States  without  having  imbibed  some 
of  those  preconceptions  on  the  subject  of  the 
American  political  system  that  are  so  generally 
current  in  Europe.  Judging  from  what  had  been 
witnessed  in  this  hemisphere,  it  appeared  to  me  that 
whatever  might  be  said  of  the  theory  of  the  political 
system  of  America,  yet  in  practice  it  could  not 
succeed  for  any  length  of  time,  and  that  in 
Europe  its  imitation  would  be  fraught  with  mis 
chief  and  anarchy. 

Those  impressions  of  the  practical  inapplica 
bility  of  the  institutions  of  the  United  States  to 
European  nations  have  not  been  removed  by  a  resi- 


donee  in  that  country ;  at  least,  the  total  unfitness 
of  a  republican  government  for  adoption  in  England 
still  appears  to  me  incontrovertible.  But  the  re 
sults  produced  in  Jlmmva,  by  her  political  system, 
are  very  different  from  those  which  one  is  led  to 
expect  by  the  representations  of  many,  and  some 
distinguished  writers ;  and  it  has  been  my  endeavour 
to  point  out  a  few  of  the  reasons  and  facts  which, 
in  my  mind,  produced  a  conviction  that  the  proba 
bilities  of  success  to  the  "  great  experiment"  now 
in  progress  in  the  trans-atlantic  republic  were  not 
to  be  measured  by  a  scale  formed  from  the  circum 
stances  of  our  own  country. 

It  is  not  possible  in  the  limits  of  a  small  volume 
like  this,  to  give  more  than  an  outline  of  the  va 
rious  points  touched  upon  in  the  following  pages ; 
many  of  the  subjects  mentioned  are  but  incidentally 
and  remotely  connected  with  the  nature  of  my 
profession ;  but  the  notice  of  them  may  serve  to 
direct  better  qualified  observers,  in  future  publica 
tions  on  the  affairs  of  America. 

The  communication  with  the  United  States  is 
now  so  rapid  and  easy  (the  voyage  often  not  oc 
cupying  more  than  seventeen  or  eighteen  days), 


VI 

that  travellers  may  visit  the  principal  cities  of  the 
Union  and  return  to  Europe  within  the  space  usu 
ally  allotted  for  a  summer  excursion.  The  facility 
for  frequent  intercourse  between  the  two  countries 
must  conduce  to  mutual  advantages:  it  must,  at  all 
events,  tend  to  dispel  such  prejudices  on  either  side 
of  the  Atlantic  as  are  the  result  of  misconception 
or  misrepresentation.  Between  countries  the  most 
dissimilar,  and  which  for  centuries  have  regarded 
one  another  as  natural  and  national  enemies,  the 
facilities  of  communication  have  contributed  to  ren 
der  the  very  term  "natural  enmity"  an alm'ost  obso 
lete  expression,  applicable  only  to  the  ignorant  and 
impolitic  barbarism  of  past  ages. 

Whatever  information  may  be  afforded  by  this 
Essay,  or  by  works  of  a  far  higher  order,  on  sub 
jects  connected  with  America,  they  cannot  tend  to 
remove  either  wilful  prejudice,  or  mistaken  impress 
ions,  nearly  so  well  as  even  a  short  visit  to  the 
United  States: 

("  Segnius  irritant  animos  demissa  per  aurem, 
Quam  quae  sunt  oculis  subjecta  fidclibus;") 

where,  whatever  deficiencies  may  be  perceived  by 


Vll 


those  accustomed  to  the  life  of  an  European  capi 
tal,  it  must  be  allowed  that  a  wide  and  interesting 
field  is  open  to  the  research  and  observation  of  the 
statesman,  the  politician,  the  philosopher,  or  the 
practical  man  of  business. 


Although  not  immediately  connected  with  the 
subject  of  this  publication,  I  cannot  forbear  saying 
a  few  words  on  a  topic  deserving  of  the  deepest 
consideration  in  this  country,  and  of  which  the 
importance  has  only  of  late  years  been  duly  appre 
ciated.  The  North  American  colonies  furnish 
England  with  similar,  and  almost  equivalent,  advan 
tages  to  those  which  the  Americans  possess  in  the 
superabundance  of  fertile  territory,  and  consequent 
provision  for  its  population  generally,  but  particu 
larly  for  the  poorer  and  lower  classes  of  society. 

From  my  own  observations  in  Canada  and  Nova 
Scotia,  I  have  no  hesitation  in  affirming,  that  to  a 
moral  certainty, — as  well  ascertained  as  any  circum 
stance  can  be  by  human  experience, — the  moder 
ately  industrious  and  sober,  however  poor,  are  sure 
of  obtaining  not  only  a  plentiful  subsistence,  but 


Vlll 

many  comforts  to  which,  in  the  present  state  of 
the  commercial,  manufacturing,  and  agricultural 
interests,  they  must  in  all  probability  long  be  stran 
gers  in  the  mother  country.  There  is  but  one 
circumstance  that  might  prevent  the  emigrant 
from  realizing  these  fair  prospects, — the  loss  of 
health.  But  in  a  climate  so  very  salubrious  as  that 
of  British  North  America,  the  probability  of  this 
evil  is  more  remote  than  that  to  which,  under  cir 
cumstances  of  privation,  he  would  be  exposed  in 
England.  He  will  also  find,  I  think,  that  the 
physical  and  positive  advantages  are  more  encour 
aging  to  the  settler  in  Upper  Canada,  &c.  than  in 
the  United  States ;  independently  of  the  reluctance 
that  every  right-minded  Englishman  must  feel  to 
abandon  the  colours  of  his  country.  He  may  be 
said  to  be  nearly  at  home  in  the  North  American 
colonies. 

"  Coelum  non  animum  mutant,  qui  trans  mare  currunt." 

^«« 

By  facilitating  the  means  of  emigration  to  the 
poorer  classes  of  Englishmen,  the  British  govern 
ment  would,  perhaps,  contribute  as  efficaciously 
to  their  welfare  as  by  the  extension  of  their  political 


rights  ;  and  would  probably  find,  in  the  vast  re 
sources  of  the  North  American  colonies,  a  means 
of  practically  awarding  "the  greatest  share  of 
happiness  to  the  greatest  number"  of  our  coun 
trymen. 

W.  G.  O. 

\ 

May  7,  1832. 


N.B.  The  works  and  authorities  that  have  fur 
nished  data  for  these  remarks,  besides  those  quoted, 
are  the  Laws  of  the  United  States,  American  Al 
manac  (Boston),  Register  of  Department  of  State, 
Sword's  Almanac  and  Ecclesiastical  Register,  Quar 
terly  Register  of  American  Education  Society, 
Statistical  Views  by  Watterston  and  Van  Zandt, 
and  American  Congressional  and  State  Papers,  in 
addition  to  private  notes,  &c. 

The  tables  in  the  Appendix  do  not  pretend  to 
perfect  correctness :  whoever  may  make  an  experi 
ment  in  obtaining  precise  and  accurate  returns  upon 
the  subjects  here  treated,  will  find  that  it  is  neither 
an  easy,  nor  very  seductive  task. 
B 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory.  Misconceptions  on  the  subject  of  America  in 
Europe.  Contradictory  accounts  of  travellers.  Arguments 
suited  to  European  governments  not  often  applicable  to  the 
United  States.  Government  of  that  country  well  adapted  to 
the  circumstances  of  its  inhabitants  .  17 

CHAPTER  II. 

Nature  of  American  Republic  generally  misunderstood  in 
Europe.  Its  dissimilarity  to  the  republics  of  antiquity,  or 
to  those  of  more  modern  times.  Contrast  between  the 
American  republic  and  that  which  succeeded  the  first  French 
Revolution.  Of  a  federal  union  .  .  .  .  25 

CHAPTER  III. 

Supposed  defects  of  American  form  of  government  examined. 
Proneness  to  war.  National  feelings  towards  England. 
M.  de  Talleyrand's  observations  on  that  subject.  M.  Politica. 
Advice  of  Washington  on  the  foreign  policy  to  be  adopted 
by  the  United  States 31 

CHAPTER  IV. 

fc 

Examination  of  objections  to  the  political  institutions  of  the 
United  States  continued.  Effects  of  very  large  constituencies 
not  such  as  have  been  anticipated.  Corruption  not  general. 


Xll 

The  representative  bodies  in  America  not  de  facto  dele 
gates     ......  45 

CHAPTER  V. 

Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States.  Its  judicial  indepen 
dence  and  high  character.  Diplomatic  agents  particularly 
interested  in  its  proceedings.  Has  jusisdiction  in  all  cases 
touching  the  law  of  nations.  State  «  Judiciaries."  Asso 
ciate  judges  .....  .52 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Misrepresentations  of  the  domestic  manners  of  the  Ameri 
cans.  Many  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  social  system  of  the 
United  States  not  attributable  exclusively  to  the  republican 
form  of  government.  Advantages  and  defects  compared  of 
American  and  English  systems  ....  60 

CHAPTER   VII. 

Financial  and  general  prosperity  of  United  States.  Its  pecu 
liar  causes  considered.  Principally  attributable  to  a  free  and 
protecting  government.  Mexican  and  South  American  re 
publics  compared  with  the  United  States.  Report  of  Mr 
M'Lane  on  the  finances  of  the  United  States.  Opinions  of 
Revue  Britannique  and  Quarterly  Review  on  economy  of 
American  government  .  71 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Statements  of  Quarterly  Review  on  the  subject  of  United  States 
examined.  Supposed  insecurity  of  property.  Conservative 
elements.  .  86 


Xlll 


CHAPTER  IX. 

United  States  government  well  suited  to  the  American  peo 
ple.  Testamentary  disposition  not  interfered  with  by  the 
laws.  Division  of  property.  Conservative  principle  of 
American  government  resides  in  numerical  majority.  Pub 
lic  lands  .....  94 

CHAPTER  X. 

Revue  Britannique  on  Finances  of  the  United  States.  Letters 
of  General  Bernard  and  Mr  F.  Cooper,  published  by  General 
Lafayette,  containing  answers  to  the  statements  of  Revue 
Britannique  ......  102 

£ 

CHAPTER  XL 

General  Bernard's  remarks.  Department  of  state  and  foreign 
affairs.  War  department.  Treasury  department.  Admin 
istration  centrale,  &c.  State  expenses.  Tolls  and  public 
roads.  Clergy.  Militia.  Summary.  Mean  expense  to 
each  individual  in  France  and  America  of  public  charges. 
Extract  from  General  Bernard's  letter  *.*,..  .«.*'  .  109 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Captain  Hall's  estimate  of  mean  charge  to  each  inhabitant  of  the 
United  States.  Mr  F.  Cooper's  remarks  on  the  Revue  Bri 
tannique.  Mr  Cooper's  estimate  of  mean  public  charge 

121 

CHAPTER  XIIL 

Quarterly's  remarks  on  American  statistics.  General  and 
state  expenditure.  General  Bernard's  and  Mr  Cooper's 
estimates  129 


XIV 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Future  financial  prospects  of  the  United  States.  Military  ex 
penses.  Naval  expenses.  Cost  of  administration  of  justice. 
Salaries  of  the  clergy  .  .  .  .  .  136 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Ecclesiastical  revenues  of  the  United  States.  Valuations  of  the 
Quarterly  of  church  of  England  revenues,  and  those  of  the 
clergy  of  America.  Probable  real  amount  of  church  emolu 
ments  in  the  United  States  .  143 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Expenses  of  administration  of  justice.  Of  state  judiciaries. 
Some  account  of  public  lands,  and  future  intentions  with  re 
gard  to  them  ......  1 54 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Gold  Mines.     Mint         .         .         .  169 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Cultivation  of  sugar  in  Louisiana.      Florida.     Slavery        178 

SUMMARY        .  195 


APPENDIX. 


Extract  from  "  Review  of  Captain  B.  Hall's  Travels"      199 

General  Table  of  all  religious  denominations  throughout   the 

United  States,  specifying  the  number  of  ministers,  churches, 

communicants,  and  individuals      ....         207 

General  Bernard's  comparative  statement  of  the  French  and 
American  budgets         ......         208 

Table  showing  the  number  of  clergymen  and  churches  of  dif 
ferent  denominations  in  each  state  of  the  union,  as  far  as  they 
have  been  ascertained  .....         212 

Table  showing  the  governor's  term  and  salary,  the  number  of 
senators  and  representatives,  with  their  respective  terms  and 
pay  in  the  different  states      .         .         .         .         .         214 

Statement,  showing  the  aggregate  number  of  persons  in  each  of 
the  states,  according  to  the  fifth  census,  and  distinguishing 
the  slave  from  the  free  population  in  each  state,  according  to 
the  corrections  made  in  the  returns  of  the  marshals  and  their 
assistants  by  the  Secretary  of  State         .         .         .         215 
Steam-boat  navigation  from  St  Louis         .         .         .         216 
Whole  number  of  steam-boats  built  on  the  western  waters  217 
Expenses  to  each  state  of  its  judiciary,  including  the  territo 
ries  and  district  of  Columbia         ....         218 

Colleges  in  the  United  States  .         .         .         219 

Texas 220 

Payment  of  the  debt  of  the  United  States          .         .         222 
Rates  of  postage  .          .          .          .          .         .         223 

Newspapers  in  New  York        .....         225 

Copyright      .          .  225 

Number  of  bishops  in  the  United  States,  and  their  residences, 
or  diocesses  226 


REMARKS 

ON 

THE   STATISTICS,   &c. 

OF 

THE     UNITED     STATES. 

CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory. — Misconceptions  on  the  subject  of  America  in  Eu 
rope. — Contradictory  accounts  of  travellers. — Arguments  suit 
ed. to  European  governments  not  often  applicable  to  the  United 
States. — Government  of  that  country  well  adapted  to  the  cir 
cumstances  of  its  inhabitants. 

ALTHOUGH  the  attention  of  Europeans,  since  the 
conclusion  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent  in '181 4,  has 
been  directed  to  the  progress  of  the  United  States 
of  North  America  with  more  interest  than  at  former 
periods,  and  although  the  rapidly  increasing  popula 
tion  and  resources  of  the  federal  union  have  been 
of  late  years  more  justly  appreciated  than  here 
tofore,  yet  there  is  perhaps  no  country  of  equal 
importance  that  is  in  fact  so  little  known  in  Europe 
generally.  No  better  proof  can  be  wanting  of  this 


18 

ignorance  in  our  country,  on  the  subject  of 
America,  than  the  conflicting  and  contradictory 
opinions  and  reports  concerning  it  that  are  con 
tinually  made  public.  Not  only  the  allusions  fre 
quently  made  in  either  house  of  parliament  to  the 
theoretic  tendency  and  practical  effects  of  her  politi 
cal  institutions,  but  the  observations  of  the  daily  and 
periodical  press  furnish  ample  evidence  of  the  great 
difference  of  opinion  that  exists  on  the  advantages  or 
defects  of  her  form  of  government,  and  its  influence 
on  the  social  system  in  some  measure  its  conse 
quence. 

That  many  misconceptions  as  to  the  real  situation 
of  the  Americans  should  be  entertained  by  those 
who  have  never  visited  their  country  is  the  less 
surprising,  when  we  observe  that,  even  among 
the  numerous  travellers  in  the  United  States  who 
have  published  their  impressions  of  its  present  con 
dition,  or  their  views  of  its  future  prospects,  there 
should  be  such  diversity  of  opinion,  that  one  is 
sometimes  inclined  to  doubt  that  the  different  writers 
are  describing  the  self-same  country.  This  may 
doubtless  be  said  of  accounts  of  other  countries ;  but, 
where  intercourse  is  frequent,  and  distance  from 
our  homes  not  great,  vulgar  errors  are  rectified,  or 
prejudiced  mistatements  contradicted,  with  greater 
facility  and  certainty  than  where  that  serious 


19 

obstacle  to  an  intimate  acquaintance  between  two 
nations  intervenes,  viz.  some  thousand  miles  of  the 
Atlantic. 

Even  those  rapid  improvements  in  the  means 
of  communication  anticipated  by  some*  sanguine 
authors  will  not  so  speedily  overcome  this  natural 
bar  to  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  American 
continent,  as  not  to  allow  for  many  years  to  come 
a  wide  field  for  speculation  and  theoretical  discussion, 
founded  on  partial  and  exaggerated  statements,  and 
unintentional  or  wilful  misrepresentation. 

While  one  party,  zealously  admiring  the  system  of 
America,  represents  the  United  States  as  a  political 
Utopia,  and  would  wish  to  transplant  her  institutions 
and  particularly  her  financial  economy  to  England, 
forgetful  of  the  many  circumstances  rendering  such 
a  form  of  government  or  any  such  practical  adoption 
of  her  scale  of  expenditure  undesirable  or  im 
possible  in  this  country^ — another  set  of  men  are 
unceasing  in  their  condemnation  of  every  thing 
American,  describing  manifold  evils  as  the  present 
effects,  and  predicting  convulsion  and  ruin  as  the 
future  results,  of  the  mode  of  government  which  the 
people  of  the  United  States  have  adopted.  In  either 
case  the  ignotum  pro  magnifico  accounts  for  the 

*  Vide  M'Gregor's  British  America,  M'Taggart's  work,  &c. 


20 

exaggerated  opinions  so  frequently,  and  often  con 
scientiously,  expressed  on  the  subject. 

But  the  opinions  of  travellers  in  the  United  States, 
however  speculative,  deserve  more  attention  than 
those  of  men  who  write  by  their  firesides  strictures 
upon  countries  of  which  they  have  no  practical 
knowledge,  and  whose  impressions  are  coloured  by 
the  prejudices  of  a  party,  or  their  own  misappre 
hensions.  Unfortunately,  those  who  have  published 
descriptions  of  America  have  not  generally  remained 
there  long  enough  to  be  enabled  to  use  their  judg 
ment  uninfluenced  by  prepossessions  against  or  in 
favour  of  the  theory  or  practice  of  the  American 
system;  they  consequently  apply  a  scale  of  their  own, 
adapted  to  a  country  widely  different  in  circumstan 
ces,  manners,  and  institutions,  in  forming  opinions 
of  the  government  and  people  of  the  United  States. 
The  traveller  who  on  first  arriving  in  any  foreign 
country  should  unreservedly  commit  to  paper  his  im 
pressions  and  opinions  of  its  usages  or  political  insti 
tutions,  and  endeavour  to  explain  and  account  for  its 
peculiar  customs,  from  his  own  observations  and 
knowledge,  and  then  lay  aside  his  notes  during  a 
year's  residence  in  the  same  place,  would  probably  be 
surprised  on  a  reperusal  of  them  at  the  mistaken 
views  that  he  had  in  many  instances  taken;  at  least  I 
have  found  it  so.  And  if  this  be  true  of  European 


21 

countries,  having  generally  many  features  of  resem 
blance,  it  is  particularly  so  in  the  judgments  passed 
by  Europeans  on  the  United  States.  I  am  speaking 
now  more  especially  of  the  political  institutions  of 
America,  but  the  same  remarks  are  even  more  strik 
ingly  applicable  to  the  social  system  of  that  country. 
It  should  be  recollected  that  many  provisions  of  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States,  which  to  an  Eng 
lishman  appear  at  first  sight  fraught  with  danger,  will 
perhaps  on  a  nearer  examination  be  found  well  adap 
ted  to  the  American  Union;  for  we  are  prone  uncon 
sciously  to  apply  the  arguments  that  would  be  good 
in  England  to  a  country  extremely  dissimilar;  and 
thus  contemplating,  with  views  and  ideas  suited  to 
a  very  different  state  of  things,  particular  measures 
or  modes  of  government,  it  is  not  surprising  that 
our  judgments  and  predictions  of  their  consequences 
should  be  erroneous.  Americans  say  that  we  look 
at  their  republican  institutions  through  our  "  mon 
archical  spectacles,"  and  that  it  requires  some  ap 
prenticeship  to  so  different  a  state  of  things  to  see 
them  in  their  true  light. 

Let  us  lock  at  the  converse  of  this  proposition. 
When  an  American  arrives  in  England  for  the  first 
time,  he  is  apt  to  jump  at  conclusions  equally  un 
founded  respecting  our  country.  I  know  what 
were  the  impressions  of  some  individuals  from  the 


22 

United  States,  and  men  of  sagacity  and  experience, 
on  first  witnessing  the  practical  workings  of  our  con 
stitutional  monarchy,  and  the  results  of  our  social 
system.  And  if  most  Americans  were  honestly  to 
confess  their  real  opinions  (formed  after  only  a  short 
residence  in  England)  at  any  period  during  the  last 
thirty  years,  I  am  convinced  that  there  are  few  who 
would  not  avow7  a  conviction  of  their  astonishment 
at  the  possibility  of  our  government  having  con 
tinued  to  work  with  any  success  for  five  years 
together;  but  after  a  residence  of  greater  duration, 
they  perceive  the  existence  of  counteracting  causes 
preventing  many  of  the  bad  effects  which  they  anti 
cipated,  and  even  begin  to  think  that  the  transition  to 
a  form  of  government  like  their  own  would  neither 
be  so  easy  nor  so  advantageous  as  they  previously 
believed.  Americans  are  eminently  practical  men; 
all  their  undertakings,  and  generally  all  the  measures, 
wrhetherof  governments  or  individuals  in  that  coun 
try,  are  stamped  with  utility  as  their  object,  and 
dicated  by  sound  practical  good  sense  and  prudence. 
They  consequently  quickly  detect  the  wildness  and 
absurdity  of  many  of  the  republican  theories  of 
those  Europeans,  who  would  seek  to  adopt  forms  of 
government  totally  unfitted  for  the  circumstances  of 
their  country; — and  soon  adapt  their  views  to  the 
peculiarities  of  the  political  atmosphere  in  which 
they  find  themselves. 


23 

Englishmen  do  not,  I  think,  so  readily  divest  them 
selves  of  their  preconceived  ideas  when  reflecting  on 
the  situation  of  America,  and  are  apt  to  continue 
bigoted  in  their  own  hypotheses,  notwithstanding 
the  frequent  contradictions  from  facts  and  practical 
results  to  which  they  are  continually  subjected.  It 
would  be  difficult  otherwise  to  account  for  the 
erroneous  viewrs  that  are  so  often  taken  of  the 
American  republic ;  and  for  the  condemnation  of  a 
system  pursued  with  such  remarkable  success  in  one 
country,  because  it  is  not  adapted  to  the  circum 
stances  of  another. 

As  all  human  institutions  carry  with  them  from 
the  first  motnent  of  their  origin  the  seeds  of  their 
own  decay  or  dissolution,  it  would  be  folly  to  expect 
that  the  American  constitution  should  not  share  in 
the  general  imperfection  of  our  nature.  But  so  far 
from  considering  the  political  system  of  the  United 
States  as  peculiarly  fraught  with  danger  to  its  own 
existence,  and  built  upon  imprudently  slight  founda 
tions,  I  conceive  it  to  be  better  adapted  for  the 
security,  good  government,  and  welfare  of  the 
American  people,  than  any  which  could  perhaps, 
under  their  peculiar  circumstances,  have  been  con 
ceived;  indeed  this  opinion  is  supported  by  the 
authority  of  writers  by  no  means  friendly  to  popular 


24 

governments.*  The  constitution  of  America  was 
the  work  of  the  combined  talent  and  experience  of 
men  of  sagacity  and  information,  well  acquainted 
with  the  wants  and  habits  of  their  own  country,*and 
not  ill  versed  in  the  theories  or  practices  of  others ; 
and  they  constructed  their  institutions  upon  a  foun 
dation  of  experience  and  practical  ability,  to  suit  the 
peculiar  circumstances  of  their  countrymen.  Hither 
to  their  system  has  worked  wonderfully  for  the  pros 
perity  of  the  United  States,  and  it  is  not  one  of  its  least 
advantages  that  any  necessary  change  or  amelioration 
is  foreseen  and  provided  for  with  such  careful  pre 
cautions  and  restrictions,  as  prospectively  secure  a 
remedy  for  future  wants  or  changes  of  circumstance. 
It  appears,  I  think,  likely  to  last,  and  adapt  itself  to 
the  mutations  brought  on  by  the  lapse  of  years,  with 
at  least  as  fair  a  prospect  of  success  as  the  nature 
of  most  human  institutions  can  promise. 

*  Vide  Quarterly  Review,  No.  XCII.  p.  585.  "  It  is  a  scheme, 
indeed,  with  which  the  Americans  may  well  be  content ;  for  one 
better  fitted  to  their  situation  it  might  not  have  been  very  easy,  if 
possible,  to  devise." 


CHAPTER   II. 

Nature  of  American  republic  generally  misunderstood  in  Europe. 
— Its  dissimilarity  to  the  republics  of  antiquity,  or  to  those  of 
more  modern  times. — Contrasts  between  the  American  repub 
lic  and  that  which  succeeded  the  first  French  revolution. — Of 
a  federal  union. 

THE  name  of  republic,  or  rather  the  associations 
connected  with  that  title,  may  go  a  great  way  in 
accounting  for  the  misconceptions  and  prejudices 
with  which  all  considerations  of  the  government  of 
the  United  States  are  observed.  Most  of  our  recol 
lections  of  school  and  college  connected  with  the 
word  republic^  present  the  classical  images,  but  really 
rude  and  uncivilized  habits,  of  Sparta,  the  vices  and 
defects  of  Athens  or  Lacedemonia,  or  the  fluctuating 
and  turbulent  aeras  of  Rome.  Whatever  may  have 
been  the  boyish  enthusiasm  in  favour  of  those 
governments  of  antiquity,  inspired  by  the  nature  of 
our  early  course  of  education,  there  are  few  of  us 
who  have  assumed  the  toga  of  manhood  without 
discovering  that  no  forms  of  government  could  be 
well  imagined  less  adapted  to  the  wants,  the  habits, 
or  the  religious  lights  of  our  own  country  in  the 

present  day,  than  the  political  systems  of  Greece  or 

• 

D 


26 

Rome  ;  and  that  they  would  be  as  little  suited  to 
work  well  in  modern  times,  as  the  forms  of  their 
mythological  divinities  would  be  to  decorate  an 
altar  in  our  temples.  We  soon  perceive  that  the  con 
tinual  internal  warfare  and  divisions  of  the  rival  pet 
ty  states  of  Greece  were  as  unlikely  to  conduce  to 
the  happiness  of  mankind  as  the  continual  struggles 
between  the  patrician  and  plebeian  parties  in  Rome. 

The  name  of  republic,  as  applied  to  the  govern 
ments  of  Italy,  contributed  still  farther  to  the  con 
demnation  of  that  form  of  government.  The 
patricians  and  princely  merchants  of  the  north  of 
Italy  might  wear  the  mask  of  republicans  for  the 
support  of  their  anomalous  or  commercial  oligarchies 
— with  almost  equal  justice  might  the  East  India 
Company's  government  at  Calcutta  be  called  a 
republic,  at  least  as  that  term  is  understood  in 
America;  and  the  former  government  of  Holland 
is  scarcely  less  dissimilar.  . 

But  general  opinion  as  to  the  nature  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States  has  been  more 
influenced  by  the  misnomer  of  republic  having  been 
assumed  by  the  sanguinary  and  tyrannical  leaders  of 
the  French  revolution  of  the  last  century,  than  by 
any  of  the  foregoing  attempts  at  popular  govern 
ments  in  the  annals  of  history.  When  the  word 
republic  is  mentioned,  straightway  a  train  of  horrors 


27 

is  called  up  in  the  minds  of  mpst  Europeans. 
Murder,  rapine,  violence  and  anarchy,  and  all  the 
accompaniments  of  the  reign  of  terror,  with  atheism 
and  sacrilege  at  their  head,  are  conjured  into 
existence,  and  crowd  the  picture  which  we  draw  of 
the  effects  and  nature  of  a  republican  government. 

Locke  advises  us  to  take  care  accurately  to  define 
words,  by  which  means  we  shall  avoid  much  dis 
puting  about  things.  If  the  word  republic  be  ap 
plicable  to  any  of  the  governments  alluded  to  above, 
and  particularly  to  the  monstrous-and  impracticable 
attempt  of  the  French  Jacobins,  then  is  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States  not  a  republic,  but  re 
quires  some  other  designation. 

Instead  of  sanguinary  executions  and  injustice,  we 
find  in  America  a  penal  code  singularly  mild,  and  cau 
tious  to  an  extreme  in  taking  away  human  existence; 
a  system  of  punishment  framed  with  a  view  to  the 
prevention  of  crime,  and  not  in  a  vindictive  spirit; 
and  adapted  for  the  reclamation  of  the  criminal 
rather  than  for  his  destruction.*  Instead  of  spolia- 

*  The  excellent  of  the  penitentiary  system  of  the  United  States 
has  been  frequently  noticed  by  late  travellers  in  America.  The 
penal  laws  are  sometimes  blamed  by  the  advocates  of  a  Draconic 
code  as  being  too  mild.  The  following  extract  from  a  report  of 
the  Society  for  the  Improvement  of  Prison  Discipline  is  better 
than  a  comment  upon  the  results  of  the  different  systems: — "  The 
amount  of  crime  in  proportion  to  population  is  as  follows: — In 
England,  1  criminal  in  740;  Wales,  1  in  2320;  Ireland,  1  in  490; 


28 

tion  or  pillage,  we  see  no  country  in  which  the  pos 
session  and  disposal  of  property  are  better  protected, 
or  its  acquisition  by  judicious  industry  better  assur 
ed.  And  above  all,  there  is  no  country  in  which  re 
ligion  and  its  ministers  are  more  generally  respected 
and  supported  by  the  mass  of  the  population,  although 
without  compulsory  provision,  and  where  the  lives 
and  example  of  the  clergy  more  nearly  approach  to 
those  of  their  great  primitive  models.* 

In  examining  the  nature  of  the  transatlantic  re 
public,  we  find  not  the  astute  tyranny  of  an  Italian 
aristocracy,  nor  the  abuses  of  usurped  power;  neither 
do  we  witness  the  conflicts  between  an  insatiate 
populace  and  a  proud  and  unfeeling  nobility,  as  in 
Rome ;  while  the  internal  struggles,  the  want  of 

Scotland,  1  in  1130;  Denmark,  1  in  1700;  Sweden,  1  in  1500;  in 
New  South  Wales,  1  in  22;  while  in  the  United  States  it  is  1  in 
3500." 

*  "  We  had  abundant  ocular  demonstration  of  the  respect  paid 
to  the  subject  of  religion;" — "  scarcely  a  village,  however  small, 
without  a  church,"  &c.— Vide  Capt.  B.  Hall's  Travels  in  United 
States,  Vol.  I.  p.  151,  and  elsewhere. 

With  regard  to  the  accounts  lately  published  by  a  female  trav 
eller  in  America,  if  we  were  even  to  allow  that  they  are  faithful 
descriptions,  and  not  satirical  caricatures,  it  would  be  about  as 
fair  to  estimate  the  church  system  of  England  by  the  proceedings 
of  a  meeting  of  Jumpers  or  Ranters  in  some  remote  village,  or  by 
the  hallucinations  of  the  followers  of  Johanna  Southcote,  as  to 
judge  of  the  ministers  and  followers  of  different  denominations  in 
America  by  the  representations  of  Mrs  Trollope. 

Some  account  of  the  revenues,  &c.  of  the  clergy  of  the  United 
States  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 


29 

unity  and  force,  are  obviated  by  a  federal*  union, 
unknown  to  the  republics  of  antiquity. 

We  may  perhaps  expect,  arguing  from  what  we  see 
of  the  violence  of  contested  elections  at  home,  that 
they  must,  a  fortiori,  be  attended  with  tumult  and 
riot  a  thousandfold  worse  in  a  country  where  some 
thing  nearly  approaching  to  universal  suffrage  exists, 

*  Palej  thus  speaks  of  a  federal  republic  : — "  We  have  been 
accustomed  to  an  opinion,  that  a  republican  form  of  government 
suits  only  with  the  affairs  of  a  small  estate."  After  then  enu 
merating  several  of  the  objections  usually  urged  against  republican 
governments,  he  proceeds  :-— 

"  Add  to  these  considerations,  that  in  a  democratic  constitution 
the  mechanism  is  too  complicated,  and  the  motions  too  slow,  for 
the  operations  of  a  great  empire,  whose  defence  and  govern 
ment  require  execution  and  despatch,  in  proportion  to  the  mag 
nitude,  extent  and  variety  of  its  concerns.  There  is  weight,  no 
doubt,  in  these  reasons,  but  much  of  the  objection  seems  to  be  done 
away  by  the  contrivance  of  a  federal  republic,  which  distributing 
the  country  into  districts  of  a  commodious  extent,  and  leaving- to 
each  district  its  internal  legislation,  reserves  to  a  convention  of 
the  states,  the  adjustment  of  their  relative  claims ;  the  levying, 
direction  and  government  of  the  common  force  of  the  confede 
racy;  the  requisition  of  subsidies  for  the  support  of  this  force; 
the  making  of  peace  and  war ;  the  entering  into  treaties ;  the 
regulation  of  foreign  commerce  ;  the  equalization  of  duties  upon 
imports,  so  as  to  prevent  the  defrauding  of  the  revenue  of  one 
province  by  smuggling  articles  of  taxation  from  the  borders  of 
another ;  and  likewise  so  as  to  guard  against  undue  partialities 
in  the  encouragement  of  trade.  To  what  limits  such  a  republic 
might,  without  inconveniency,  enlarge  its  dominions  by  assuming 
neighbouring  provinces  into  the  confederation ;  or  how  far  it  is 
capable  of  uniting  the  liberty  of  a  small  commonwealth  with  the 
safety  of  a  powerful  empire ;  or  whether,  amongst  co-ordinate  pow 
ers,  dissensions  and  jealousies  would  not  be  likely  to  arise,  which, 
for  want  of  a  common  superior,  might  proceed  to  fatal  extremities ; 


30 

whereas  we  find  that,  compared  with  our  assemblies, 
the  elections  of  the  United  States  are  order  itself, 
pelting,  mobbing,  or  brawling,  are  almost  unheard 
of  on  such  occasions,  and  more  than  all,  there  is  lit 
tle  or  no  bribery,  or  possibility  of  succeeding  merely 
ty  dint  of  money. 

are  questions  upon  which  the  records  of  mankind  do  not  authorize 
us  to  decide  with  tolerable  certainty.  The  experiment  is  about  to 
be  tried  in  America  upon  a  large  scale."— Vide  Palej,  "  Of  Dif- 
erent  Forms  of  Government,"  chap.  vi. 


Six 


CHAPTER   III. 

Supposed  defects  of  American  form  of  goverment  examined. — 
Proneness  to  war. — National  feelings  towards  England. — M. 
de  Talleyrand's  observations  on  that  subject. — M.  Politica. 
— Advice  of  Washington  on  the  foreign  policy  to  be  adopted  by 
the  United  States. 

MANY  objections  have  been  made  to  the  political 
system  of  the  United  States,  founded  generally  upon 
certain  theories,  or  deduced  from  observations  on  the 
results  of  governments  called  republics  that  have 
already  existed.  The  principal  defects  attributed  to 
the  form  of  government  adopted  in  America  are 
these : — that  the  preponderance  of  the  democratic 
party  in  the  state  will  force  the  government  into  wars 
and  aggressions  upon  other  countries,  particularly 
where  national  antipathies  or  predilections  exist- — 
that  the  representatives  chosen  by  the  mass  of  the 
people  become  mere  delegates,  whose  abilities  and 
judgments  are  fettered  by  the  popular  will — that 
property  must  be  insecure  under  such  circumstan 
ces,  and  that  none  but  men  of  low  origin  and  unfitted 
for  high  situations  will  be  elected  by  the  classes  for 
ming  the  numerical  majority  of  votes  in  the  United 
States — that  the  judicial  powers  in  the  state  will  lose 


32 

their  independence — and  that  the  alleged  economy 
of  the  American  government  is  a  delusion  which 
only  requires  some  examination  of  facts  to  dispel. 
First,  as  to  the  warlike  propensities  attributed 
to  republican  governments,  it  is  evident  that  the 
institutions  of  the  United  States  are  not  obnoxious 
to  an  accusation  founded  upon  a  supposed  resem 
blance  between  the  United  States  and  the  French 
republic  of  the  last  century.  Capt.  B.  Hall  makes 
some  judicious  remarks  upon  this  subject  when 
speaking  of  the  possibility  of  a  future  invasion  of  the 
Canadas.*  A  country  that,  with  a  population  of 
13,000,000,  finds  a  standing  army  of  6000  menf 
sufficiently  large  for  all  its  purposes,  is  unlikely  to 
embark  in  wars  of  ambition,  if  even  territorial  ac 
quisition  were  thought  requisite  for  its  strength, 
which  is  certainly  not  the  case  writh  America.  For 
the  purposes  of  defensive  warfare,  there  is  perhaps  no 
country  more  formidably  provided  than  the  United 
States  at  the  present  day.  In  1827,  their  militia, 

*  See  also  Paley.  "  The  advantages  of  a  republic  are,  liberty, 
or  exemption  from  needless  restrictions;  equal  laws ;  regulations 
adapted  to  the  wants  and  circumstances  of  the  people \  public 
spirit ;  frugality;  averseness  to  war,  fyc."  Paley  on  Different 
Forms  of  Government. 

t  It  is  somewhat  singular  that  the  number  of  pensioners  (all 
military,  as  there  are  no  civil  pensions  granted  in  the  United 
States)  should  greatly  exceed  that  of  the  whole  army.  They  still 
amount  to  1 6,324,  principally  men  who  were  engaged  in  the  re 
volutionary  war. 


33 

almost  precisely  similar  to  the  national  guard  of 
France  in  its  organization,  amounted  to  upwards  of 
1,150,000,  and  all  parties  agree  that  few  countries 
are  better  prepared  to  resist  foreign  invasion.* 

On  the  other  hand,  aggressive  wars  are  little  likely 
to  be  undertaken  by  a  country  so  opposed  to  heavy 
taxation  as  America,  and  where  such  powerful  ob 
stacles  exist  to  the  dangerous  or  unconstitutional 
ambition  of  any  military  leader.  It  has  been  asserted 
that  any  popular  demonstration  of  national  jealousy, 
or  dislike  of  a  particular  country,  would  hurry  a  re 
publican  administration  into  warlike  measures  upon 
slight  grounds,  and  that  in  the  United  States  such 
hostility  would  be  more  likely  to  display  itself  against 
Great  Britain  than  any  other  power,  from  the  alleged 
dislike  and  antipathy  pervading  all  classes  towards 
England  and  Englishmen.  The  evidence  of  this 
feeling,  as  regards  individuals,  cannot  be  found  in 
many  works  of  late  writers,  however  hostile  to  the 
political  institutions  of  America ;  on  the  contrary,  it 
is  only  necessary  to  open  almost  any  chapter  of  Capt. 
HalFs  Travels,  of  Mr  de  Roos's  or  M.  Vigne's,  &c.,f 

*  The  Quarterly  Review  admits  this,  more  suo :  "  The  nation 
may  be  compared  to  a  great  sand-bank,  of  which  all  the  particles 
may  be  good  enough  in  themselves,  but  which,  except  for  the  pur- 
pose  of  destroying  any  one  who  attempts  to  meddle  with  them,  have 
no  principle  of  joint  action,"  &c. — Vide  Quarterly  Review,  No. 
XCIII.  March,  on  "  Domestic  Manners  of  the  Americans." 

t  Capt.  Basil  Hall,  Vol.  IK.  p.  2.  «  The  same  kindness  and 
E 


34 

to  find  a  testimony  in  favour  of  the  hospitality,  the 
ready  and  obliging  assistance,  perfect  good-will  and 
civility  generally  shown  to  English  travellers,  which 
from  my  own  personal  experience,  and  that  of  my 
friends,  I  can  fully  corroborate.  It  is  indeed  so 
strong  as  to  have  been  observed  at  a  period  when 
political  and  national  feelings  were  roused,  and  not 

hospitality  were  shown  to  us  here  (at  Washington)  as  else 
where  ;"  &c.  &c.  Further  on, "  we  never  discovered  the  slightest 
diminution  of  that  attention  by  which  we  had  already  been  so 
much  flattered  during  the  journey ;"  and  many  other  passages 
might  be  cited  from  this  gentleman's  travels  to  prove  the  good 
feeling  prevalent  towards  Englishmen  in  the  United  States. 

Mr  Stanley,  soon  after  his  return  from  the  United  States,  used 
the  following  language  in  the  house  of  commons  : — "  So  strong 
were  the  ties  of  a  common  origin,  that  an  English  gentleman 
travelling  in  that  great  republic  is  sure  to  meet  with  the  most 
hospitable  reception,  as  he  well  knew  by  personal  experience,  that 
great  country  was  proud  to  acknowledge  its  relationship  to  Eng 
land,  and  to  recognize  the  love  and  attachment  it  yet  felt  to  the 
mother  country,  and  would  feel  for  ages." 

Capt.  de  Roos  thus  expresses  his  opinion  on  this  subject  :•— 
"  Nothing  can  be  more  unfounded  than  the  notion  which  is  gene 
rally  entertained,  that  a  feeling  of  rancour  and  animosity  against 
England  and  Englishmen  pervades  the  United  States." 

"  Though  vilified  in  our  journals,  and  ridiculed  upon  our  stage, 
they  will  be  found  upon  a  nearer  inspection  to  be  brave,  intelli 
gent,  kind-hearted,  and  unprejudiced  ;  though  impressed  with  an 
ardent,  perhaps  an  exaggerated,  admiration  of  their  own  country, 
they  speak  of  others  without  envy,  malignity,  or  detraction." 
And  again  : — (  One  introduction  is  sufficient  to  secure  to  an 
Englishman  a  general  and  cordial  welcome." — u  At  New  York 
the  character  of  an  Englishman  is  a  passport,"  &c. — "  At  a  pub 
lic  table  d'hote,  we  were  treated  with  the  greatest  civility  by  the 
promiscuous  party,  who  drank  the  king's  health  out  of  compliment 
to  our  nation,"  &c.  &c.— Vide  also  M'Gregor,  &c. 


35 

unjustly,*  and  the  passions  enlisted  against  Eng 
lishmen  by  the  unfortunate  effects  of  warfare  with 
other  powers. 

*  "  To  place  the  full  annoyance  of  these  matters  in  a  light  to  be 
viewed  by  English  people,  let  us  suppose  that  the  Americans  and 
French  were  to  go  to  war,  and  that  England  for  once  remained 
neutral— an  odd  case,  I  admit,  but  one  which  might  happen. 
Next,  suppose  that  a  couple  of  French  frigates  were  chased  into 
Liverpool,  and  that  an  American  squadron  stationed  itself  off  that 
harbour  to  watch  the  motions  of  these  French  ships,  which  had 
claimed  the  protection  of  our  neutrality,  and  were  accordingly 
received  into  6  our  waters,'  I  ask,  « would  this  blockade  of  Liver 
pool  be  agreeable  to  us,  or  not  ?' 

"Even  if  the  blockading  American  frigates  did  nothing  but 
sail  backwards  and  forwards  across  the  harbour's  mouth,  or  oc 
casionally  run  up  and  anchor  abreast  of  the  town,  it  would  not, 
*  I  guess,'  be  very  pleasant  to  be  thus  superintended.  If,  however, 
the  American  ships,  in  addition  to  this  legitimate  surveillance  of 
their  enemy,  were  to  detain  off  the  port,  with  equal  legitimacy  of 
usage,  and  within  a  league  or  so  of  the  light-house,  every  British 
ship  coming  from  France,  or  from  a  French  colony,  and  if,  be 
sides  looking  over  the  papers  of  these  ships,  to  see  whether  all 
was  regular,  they  were  to  open  every  private  letter,  in  the  hope 
of  detecting  some  trace  of  French  ownership  in  the  cargo,  what 
should  we  say?  And  if,  out  of  some  twenty  ships  arrested  daily 
in  this  manner,  one  or  two  ships  were  to  be  completely  diverted 
from  their  course,  from  time  to  time,  and  sent  off  under  a  prize- 
master  to  New  York  for  adjudication,  I  wonder  how  the  Liver 
pool  folks  would  like  it  ?  But  if,  in  addition  to  this  perfectly 
regular  and  usual  exercise  of  a  belligerent  right  on  the  part  of 
the  Americans,  under  such  circumstances  we  bring  in  that  most 
awkward  and  ticklish  of  questions,  the  impressment  of  seamen, 
let  us  consider  how  much  the  feelings  of  annoyance,  on  the  part 
of  the  English  neutral,  would  be  augmented. 

u  Conceive,  for  instance,  that  the  American  squadron  employed 
to  blockade  the  French  ships  in  Liverpool  was  short-handed,  but 
from  being  in  daily  expectation  of  bringing  their  enemy  to  action, 


36 

One  of  the  most  powerful  causes  of  the  favourable 
feeling  towards  Englishmen  is  of  course  to  be  found 
in  the  common  origin  of  the  two  people.  But  an- 

it  had  become  an  object  of  great  consequence  with  them  to  get 
their  ships  manned  ;  and  suppose,  likewise,  that  it  were  perfectly 
notorious  to  all  parties,  that  on  board  every  English  ship  arriving 
or  sailing  from  the  port  in  question  there  were  several  American 
citizens,  but  calling  themselves  English,  and  having  in  their 
possession  protections  or  certificates  to  that  effect,  sworn  to  in  a 
regular  form,  but  well  known  to  be  false,  and  such  as  might  be 
bought  for  4s.  &d.  any  day.  Things  being  in  this  situation,  if  the 
American  men-of-war  off'  the  English  port  were  then  to  fire  at 
and  stop  every  ship,  and,  besides  overhauling  her  papers  and 
cargo,  were  to  take  out  any  seaman  to  work  their  own  guns  withal 
whom  they  had  reason,  or  supposed,  or  said  they  had  reason  to 
consider  American  citizens,  or  whose  country  they  guessed  from 
dialect  or  appearance; — I  wish  to  know  with  what  degree  of 
patience  this  would  be  submitted  to  on  the  exchange  at  Liverpool, 
or  elsewhere  in  England  ? 

O 

"It  signifies  nothing  to  say  that  such  a  case  could  not  occur,  as 
the  Americans  do  not  impress  seamen ;  for  all  who  have  attended 
to  such  subjects  know  well  enough  that  if  they  come  to  be  en 
gaged  in  a  protracted  war,  especially  at  a  distance  from  their  own 
shores,  there  is  no  other  possible  way  by  which  they  can  keep 
their  armed  ships  manned.  This,  however,  is  not  the  point  now 
in  discussion.  I  merely  wish  to  put  the  general  case  broadly 
before  our  own  eyes,  in  order  that  we  may  bring  it  distinctly 
home  to  ourselves,  and  then  see  whether  or  not  the  Americans 
had  reason  for  their  indignation." — Vide  Capt.  Basil  Hall's 
Fragments  of  Voyages  and  Travels,  p.  174,  first  series. 

It  would,  perhaps,  not  be  easy  to  induce  an  American  to  con 
cede  the  possible  necessity  of  impressment ;  but  that  is  not  the 
question  at  present.  Captain  Hall  places  the  whole  subject  of 
the  irritations  which  contributed  so  materially  to  hasten  the  last 
war  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States  before  the 
public  so  fully  and  impartially  in  this  very  interesting  little  work, 
that  I  cannot  refrain  from  continuing  my  extracts.  He  proceeds 
to  say  (page  299)  : 


37 

other  great  moral  influence  and  bond  of  union  is  a 
community  of  language.  In  a  "Memoir"  written 
by  the  present  French  ambassador  at  this  court, 
which  deserves  to  be  as  well  known  in  England  as  it 
is  in  America,  are  the  following  very  remarkable 
observations : — 

"In  putting  a  parallel  case  to  ours  off  New  York,  and  sup 
posing  Liverpool  to  be  blockaded  by  the  Americans  on  the  ground 
of  their  watching  some  French  ships,  I  omitted  to  throw  in  one 
item  which  is  necessary  to  complete  the  parallel,  and  make  it  fit 
the  one  from  which  it  is  drawn. 

u  Suppose  the  blockading  American  ships  of  Liverpool,  in  firing 
a  shot  a-head  of  a  vessel  they  wished  to  examine,  had  accident 
ally  hit,  not  that  vessel,  but  a  small  coaster  so  far  beyond  her, 
that  she  was  not  even  noticed  by  the  blockading  ships  ;  and  sup 
pose  further  this  unlucky  chance  shot  to  have  killed  one  of  the 
crew  on  board  the  said  coaster,  the  vessel  would  of  course  proceed 
immediately  to  Liverpool  with  the  body  of  their  slaughtered 
countryman;  and,  in  fairness  it  may  be  asked,  what  would  have 
been  the  effect  of  such  a  spectacle  on  the  population  of  England, 
more  particularly  if  such  an  event  had  occurred  at  the  moment  of 
a  general  election,  when  party  politics,  raging  on  this  very  question 
of  foreign  interference,  was  at  its  height  ? 

"  This  is  not  an  imaginary  case,  for  it  actually  occurred  in 
1 804,  when  we  were  blockading  the  French  frigates  in  New  York. 
A  casual  shot  from  the  Leander  hit  an  unfortunate  sloop's  main- 
boom;  and  the  broken  spar  striking  the  mate,  John  Pierce  by 
name,  killed  him  instantly.  The  sloop  sailed  on  to  New  York, 
where  the  mangled  body,  raised  on  a  platform,  was  paraded 
through  the  streets,  in  order  to  augment  the  vehement  indigna 
tion,  already  at  a  high  pitch,  against  the  English. 

"  Now,  let  us  be  candid  to  our  rivals,  and  ask  ourselves  whe 
ther  the  Americans  would  have  been  worthy  of  our  friendship,  or 
even  of  our  hostility,  had  they  tamely  submitted  to  indignities 
which,  if  passed  upon  ourselves,  would  have  roused  not  only 
Liverpool,  but  the  whole  country,  into  a  towering  passion  of  na 
tionality  ?" 


38 

"  Identity  of  language  is  a  fundamental  relation 
on  whose  influence  one  cannot  too  deeply  meditate. 
This  identity  places  between  the  men  of  England 
and  America  a  common  character  which  will  make 
them  always  take  to,  and  recognise  each  other.  But 
an  insurmountable  barrier  is  raised  between  people 
of  a  different  language,  who  cannot  utter  a  word 
without  recollecting  that  they  do  not  belong  to  the 
same  country;  betwixt  whom  every  transmission  of 
thought  is  an  irksome  labour,  and  not  an  enjoy 
ment;  wrho  never  come  to  understand  each  other 
thoroughly,  and  with  whom  the  result  of  conversa 
tion,  after  the  fatigue  of  unavailing  efforts,  is  to  find 
themselves  mutually  ridiculous."* 

After  detailing  some  of  the  effects  of  the  great 
moral  influence  of  the  use  of  the  English  language 
on  the  legislative  and  political  institutions  of  the 
United  States,  M.  de  Talleyrand  says,  that  V  we 
must  renounce  all  knowledge  of  the  influence  of 
laws  upon  man,  and  deny  the  modifications  which  he 
receives  from  all  that  surrounds  him,  if  \ve  do 
not  concede  the  immense  influence  which  the  use 
of  a  common  language  has  upon  inter-national  re 
lations." 

The  personal  observations  of  this  acute  statesman 
are  further  confirmed  by  M.  Politica,  formerly  the 

*  American  translation. 


39 

representative  of  Russia  in  North  America,  in  his 
"  Jlpergu"  on  the  United  States,  in  which  he  bears 
witness  to  the  great  moral  effects  on  the  social  insti 
tutions,  habits,  and  feelings  of  America,  to  be  as 
cribed  to  the  unavoidable  use  of  the  language  of  the 
mother  country. 

It  may  be  said  that  this  feeling  can  exist  towards 
individuals  without  influencing  the  councils  of  a 
nation.  But  whatever  may  have  been  the  feelings 
of  animosity  that,  at  an  earlier  period  of  the  exist 
ence  of  the  American  union  as  an  independent 
government,  pervaded  its  members,  any  person  can 
form  an  opinion,  from  the  publicity  with  which  the 
affairs  of  the  United  States  are  transacted,  whether 
traces  of  such  hostile  feelings  are  more  to  be  per 
ceived  in  the  measures  of  the  present  government 
of  that  country,  than  in  the  behaviour  of  individuals, 
or  the  acts  of  our  own  government.  It  would  have 
been  better,  perhaps,  for  all  countries  if  the  advice 
of  that  great  and  excellent  man,  General  Washing 
ton,  had  been  considered  as  applicable  to  other  forms 
of  government  as  to  that  United  States. 

In  the  address  of  the  first  president  of  the  United 
States  to  his  fellow-citizens,  on  declining  to  be  con 
sidered  a  candidate  for  their  future  suffrages,  are 
these  excellent  recommendations : 

"  Observe  good  faith  and  justice  towards  all  na- 


40 

tions ;  cultivate  peace  and  harmony  with  all.  Re 
ligion  and  morality  enjoin  this  conduct;  and  can  it 
be  that  good  policy  does  not  equally  enjoin  it?  It 
will  be  worthy  of  a  free,  enlightened,  and  (at  no  dis 
tant  period)  a  great  nation  to  give  to  mankind  the 
magnanimous  and  novel  example  of  a  people  always 
guided  by  an  exalted  justice  and  benevolence.  Who 
can  doubt  that,  in  the  course  of  time  and  things,  the 
fruits  of  such  a  plan  would  richly  repay  any  tem 
porary  advantages  which  might  be  lost  by  a  steady 
adherence  to  it  ?  Can  it  be  that  providence  has  not 
connected  the  permanent  felicity  of  a  nation  with 
virtue  ?  The  experiment,  at  least,  is  recommended 
by  every  sentiment  which  ennobles  human  nature. 
Alas !  is  it  rendered  impossible  by  its  vices  ? 

"  In  the  execution  of  such  a  plan,  nothing  is  more 
essential  than  that  permanent,  inveterate  antipathies 
against  particular  nations,  and  passionate  attach 
ment  for  others,  should  be  excluded;  and  that,  in  the 
place  of  them,  just  and  amicable  feelings  towards 
all  should  be  cultivated.  The  nation  which  indulges 
towards  another  an  habitual  hatred,  or  an  habitual 
fondness,  is  in  some  degree  a  slave.  It  is  a  slave  to 
its  animosity,  or  to  its  affection ;  either  of  which  is 
sufficient  to  lead  it  astray  from  its  duty  and  its  in 
terest.  Antipathy  in  one  nation  against  another, 
disposes  each  more  readily  to  offer  insult  and  injury, 


41 

to  lay  hold  of  slight  causes  of  umbrage,  and  to  be 
haughty  and  intractable  when  accident  or  trifling 
occasions  of  dispute  occur.     Hence  frequent  col 
lisions,  obstinate,  envenomed  and  bloody  contests. 
The  nation,  prompted  by  ill-will  and  resentment, 
sometimes  impels  to  war  the  government,  contrary 
to  the  best  calculations  of  policy.     The  government 
sometimes  participates  in  the  national  propensity, 
and  adopts,  through  passion,  what  reason  would 
reject ;  at  other  times,  it  makes  the  animosity  of  the 
nation  subservient  to  projects  of  hostility,  insti 
gated  by  pride,  ambition,  and  other  sinister  and 
pernicious  motives.     The  peace  often,  sometimes 
perhaps  the  liberty,  of  nations  has  been  the  victim- 
"So,  likewise,  a  passionate  attachment  of  one 
nation  for  another  produces  a  variety  of  evils.    Sym 
pathy  for  the  favourite  nation,  facilitating  the  illusion 
of  an  imaginary  common  interest,  in  cases  where  no 
real  common  interest  exists,  and  infusing  into  one 
the  enmities  of  the  other,  betrays  the  former  into  a 
participation  in  the  quarrels  and  wars  of  the  latter, 
without  adequate  inducement  or  justification.     It 
leads  also  to  concessions  to  the  favourite  nation  of 
privileges  denied  to  others,  which  is  apt  doubly  to 
injure  the  nation  making  the  concessions,  by  un 
necessarily  parting  with  what  ought  to  have  been 
retained ;  and  by  exciting  jealousy,  ill-will,  and  a 


42 

disposition  to  retaliate  in  the  parties  from  whom 
equal  privileges  are  withheld :  and  it  gives  to  am 
bitious,  corrupted,  or  deluded  citizens  (who  devote 
themselves  to  the  favourite  nation)  facility  to  betray 
or  sacrifice  the  interests  of  their  owrn  country  with 
out  odium,  sometimes  even  with  popularity  $  gilding 
with  the  appearances  of  a  virtuous  sense  of  ob 
ligation,  a  commendable  deference  for  public  opin 
ion,  or  a  laudable  zeal  for  public  good,  the  base  or 
foolish  compliances  of  ambition,  corruption,  or  in 
fatuation." 

He  further  says : — 

"  The  great  rule  of  conduct  for  us  in  regard  to 
foreign  nations  is,  in  extending  our  commercial  re 
lations,  to  have  with  them  as  little  political  con 
nexion  as  possible.  So  far  as  we  have  already 
formed  engagements,  let  them  be  fulfilled  with 
perfect  good  faith.  Here  let  us  stop. 

"  Europe  has  a  set  of  primary  interests,  which  to 
us  have  none,  or  a  very  remote  relation.  Hence  she 
must  be  engaged  in  frequent  controversies,  the 
causes  of  which  are  essentially  foreign  to  our  con 
cerns.  Hence,  therefore,  it  must  be  unwise  in  us 
to  implicate  ourselves  by  artificial  ties  in  the  or 
dinary  vicissitudes  of  her  politics,  or  the  ordinary 
combinations  and  collisions  of  her  friendships  or 
enmities. 


43 

,  "  Our  detached  and  distant  situation  invites  and 
enables  us  to  pursue  a  different  course.  If  we  re 
main  one  people,  under  an  efficient  government,  the 
period  is  not  far  off  when  we  may  defy  material 
injury  from  external  annoyance ;  when  we  may  take 
such  an  attitude  as  will  cause  the  neutrality  we  may 
at  any  time  resolve  upon  to  he  scrupulously  re 
spected  ;  when  belligerent  nations,  under  the  im 
possibility  of  making  acquisitions  upon  us,  will  not 
lightly  hazard  the  giving  us  provocation ;  when 
we  may  choose  peace  or  war,  as  our  interest,  guided 
by  justice,  shall  counsel. 

"Why  forego  the  advantages  of  so  peculiar  a 
situation  ?  Why  quit  our  own  to  stand  upon  foreign 
ground  ?  Why,  by  interweaving  our  destiny  with 
that  of  any  part  of  Europe,  entangle  our  peace  and 
prosperity  in  the  toils  of  European  ambition,  rival- 
ship,  interest,  humour,  or  caprice  ? 

"  It  is  our  true  policy  to  steer  clear  of  permanent 
alliances  with  any  portion  of  the  foreign  world ;  so 
far,  I  mean,  as  we  are  now  at  liberty  to  do  it ;  for  let 
me  not  be  understood  as  capable  of  patronising  in 
fidelity  to  existing  engagements.  I  hold  the  maxim 
no  less  applicable  to  public  than  to  private  affairs, 
that  honesty  is  always  the  best  policy.  I  repeat  it, 
therefore,  let  those  engagements  be  observed  in  their 


f  44 

genuine  sense.  But,  in  my  opinion,  it  is  unneces 
sary,  and  would  be  unwise,  to  extend  them. 

"  Taking  care  always  to  keep  ourselves  by  suitable 
establishments  in  a  respectable  defensive  posture, 
we  may  safely  trust  to  temporary  alliances  for  ex 
traordinary  emergencies. 

"  Harmony,  and  a  liberal  intercourse  with  all  na 
tions,  are  recommended  by  policy,  humanity,  and 
interest.  But  even  our  commercial  policy  should 
hold  an  equal  and  impartial  hand ;  neither  seeking 
nor  granting  exclusive  favours  or  preferences," 
&c.  &c.  &c. 

Without  here  examining  whether  the  different  ad 
ministrations  of  America  have  always  acted  strictly 
in  accordance  with  these  wise  suggestions,  we  at 
least  see  in  them  an  explanation  of  the  motives  that 
induce  the  United  States  sedulously  to  avoid  "  en 
tangling  alliances,"  which  in  their  peculiar  position 
it  wrould  be  folly  to  contract.  And  in  the  adop 
tion  of  the  line  of  policy  here  recommended  to 
America,  it  is  to  be  hoped  will  be  found  an  anti 
dote  to  such  national  enmities  as  may  be  supposed 
to  exist  in  the  councils  of  that  country. 


45 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Examination  of  objections  to  the  political  institutions  of  the  Uni 
ted  States  continued. — Effects  of  very  large  constituencies  not 
such  as  have  been  anticipated.— Corruption  not  general. — The 
representative  bodies  in  America  not  de  facto  delegates. 

WITH  respect  to  the  assumption,  that  large  con 
stituencies,  formed  upon  the  principles  that  are  in 
force  in  America,  will  return  unworthy  representa 
tives,  it  is  not  found  to  be  confirmed  by  the  expe 
rience  of  several  years,  even  in  the  larger  states, 
and  where  the  greatest  extension  is  given  to  the 
democratic  principle.  We  are  also  apt  to  suppose  in 
England,  that  where  multitudes  of  voters  have  to 
decide  the  elections,  a  necessary  consequence  will  be 
extreme  disorder,  riot,  and  confusion;  I  can  only 
say,  that  from  whatever  cause,  no  such  effects  gene 
rally  arise  from  the  mode  of  elections  in  the  United 
States.  Let  us  take  New  York  for  an  example.  And 
here  I  shall  quote  the  statements  of  a  correspondent  of 
one  of  the  leading  journals  of  this  country,  which,  as 
far  as  my  opportunities  of  observation  allow  me  to 
judge,  are  perfectly  correct  on  this  head.  The  letter 
is  written  in  support  of  the  clause,  giving  additional 
representatives  to  the  metropolis ;  and  after  antici- 


46 

paling  the  objections,  on  the  score  of  riot,  expense, 
&c.,  proceeds  to  state — 

"  But  what  in  reality  is  the  case?  In  a  late  warmly 
contested  election  to  the  senate  for  the  state  of  New 
York,  there  were  about  250,000  voters  polled;  there 
were  no  brickbats,  no  dead  cats,  or  any  similar  argu 
ments  resorted  to  on  either  side;  in  short,  such  modes 
of  election  are  unknown  among  our  unpolished  bre- 
then,  and  the  expense  to  the  successful  candidate 
was  about  40/. 

"  But  then  '  the  man  who  was  elected  was  surely 
some  greasy  mechanic, — some  pot-companion  and 
worthy  prototype  of  the  illiterate  and  ignorant  men 
who  elected  him?' 

"  The  successful  candidate  was  a  man  who  has 
from  early  youth  distinguished  himself  by  his  talent^, 
his  eloquence,  and  his  enlarged  and  benevolent  views. 
He  occupied  the  post  of  secretary  of  state  for  the 
foreign  and  home  departments,  and  relinquished  that 
office  from  a  high  and  delicate  feeling  of  the  peculiar 
position  of  his  party,  and  that  of  the  present  presi 
dent  of  the  United  States,  to  accept  the  appointment 
of  minister  to  this  country;  in  a  word,  it  was  Mr 
Van  Buren. 

"  Nor  is  this  a  solitary  instance,  nor  confined  to 
one  party;  Mr  Clay,  Mr  Webster,  Mr  M' Lane  (the 
late  envoy  to  this  country),  and  indeed  with  scarcely 


S 


47 

an  exception,  all  the  men  elected  by  the  larger  bodies 
of  constituents,  are  men  distinguished  for  their  ta 
lents,  their  services,  or  their  standing  in  the  estima 
tion  of  the  country.  Nor  are  we  authorised  to  say, 
that  this  is  peculiar  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  United 
States :  human  nature  is  much  the  same,  whether  on 
this  side  of  the  Atlantic  or  the  other.  Neither  are 
men  in  the  lower  walks  of  life  prone  to  elect  as  their 
representatives  those  in  nowise  their  superiors.  The 
thought,  '  I  am  as  good  as  he  is,'  will  prevent  it. 
On  the  contrary,  the  greater  the  multitude,  the  more 
elevated  must  be  the  position  which  it  is  necessary  to 
take,  in  order  to  be  advantageously  in  their  view. 
"  Then,  on  the  score  of  expense,  the  opponents  of 
popular  representation  will  say,  'you  must  advocate 
vote  by  ballot,  or  the  influence  of  wealth  will  be 
paramount  in  this  country,  whatever  it  may  be  there.' 
But  let  them  recollect,  that  it  is  not  easy  to  buy  the 
majority  of  250,000  votes,  at  even  51.  each.  And 
what  is  rather  a  remarkable  fact,  the  ballot  is,  in  a 
thousand  instances,  not  resorted  to  in  the  United 
States ;  on  the  contrary,  a  display  of  the  sentiments 
of  the  voters  is  made  as  much  as  in  this  country; 
and  the  order  that  prevails  is  less  surprising,  when 
we  recollect  who  are  the  individuals  here,  whose 
arguments  in  support  of  their  favourite  candidate 
consist  in  the  missiles  thrown  at  the  head  of  his 


48 

opponent.  Are  they  not  very  generally  those  who 
have  no  vote  ?  A  man  feels  that  he  can  much  more 
effectually  support  his  representative  by  giving  him 
his  vote  than  by  stopping  the  mouth  of  the  other 
party  with  a  cabbage  or  a  dead  cat;  and  he  perfers 
the  easier  and  more  useful  method."* 

M.  Vigne  confirms  this  account  of  the  difficulty  of 
perpetrating  any  acts  of  corruption  in  the  United 
States,  and  his  conviction  of  the  non-existence  of 
bribery  at  elections  generally,  he  says,  "  that  al 
though,  supposing  the  rich  sometimes  to  influence 
the  poor  voters,  he  believes  votes  are  rarely  bought 
in  the  United  States:" — this  is  quite  true,  "voters 
are  too  numerous,  and  therefore  corruptions  costly 
and  difficult  of  concealment;"  and  elsewhere,  "it  is 
to  the  credit  of  America  that  individual  wealth  has 
never  yet  been  employed^  any  unconstitutional  pur 
pose."!     I  cannot  join  in  giving  this  credit  entirely 
to  the  self-denial  or  patriotic  principle  of  the  people 
of  the  United  States.     I  look  upon  it  as  rather  the 
result  of  their  institutions,  human  nature  being  much 
the  same,  and  subject  to  the  same  temptations,  in 
America  as  elsewhere ;  but  their  whole  political 
system  has  been  devised  with  a  view  to  depriving 

*  Times,  March  3d,  1832. 

t  Vide  Vigne's  Six  Months  in  America,  Vol.  I.  p.  152  and  191 ; 
Vol.  II.  p.  242. 


49 

wealth  of  all  but  its  legitimate  advantages :  and  ad 
mirably  have  its  framers  succeeded.  A  millionaire, 
in  America,  may  have  a  mansion  in  every  capital  of 
the  union,  establishments  in  town  or  country,  on 
any  scale  he  pleases  of  expense  or  luxury,  and 
were  he  distinguished  for  talents  or  merit,  his  riches 
would,  of  course,  cxteris  paribus,  give  him  certain 
advantages ;  but  he  wTould  in  vain  attempt  to 
procure  admittance  to  either  house  of  legislature,  by 
dint  of  wealth  alone;  and  I  do  not  think  that  it 
would  be  possible  to  adduce  a  single  instance  to 
disprove  this  assertion. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  an  aristocracy  is  grow 
ing  up  in  every  city  in  the  union ;  but  it  should 
be  remembered  that  it  is  not  a  political,  but  a 
social  aristocracy. 

The  representatives  in  congress  have  been  repeat 
edly  described  as  mere  delegates,  and  not  free  to 
exercise  their  opinions  or  abilities  according  to  the 
dictates  of  their  own  judgment  or  conscientious  in 
tentions.  But  this,  although,  perhaps,  considered 
theoretically  true  of  the  house  of  representatives, 
by  a  great  proportion  of  the  Americans,  is  disallowed 
by  many  others;  and  with  regard  to  the  senate, 
certainly  does  not  hold  good  as  a  rule.  It  may  be 
said  that,  de  facto,  the  state  of  the  question  is  very 
much  the  same  as  in  England.  On  any  great 
G 


50 

national  question  arising,  or  about  to  be  decided, 
the  electors  naturally  ascertain  the  sentiments  of  a 
candidate  upon  that  particular  subject,  leaving  him 
free  to  exercise  his  unpledged  opinion  upon  all  other 
topics  that  are  not  supposed  so  vitally  to  concern 
their  immediate  interests. 

To  say  that  every  member  of  congress  is,  there 
fore,  a  mere  delegate  upon  any  debate  that  might 
arise  would  be  an  error,  and,  indeed,  would  in  most 
cases  be  mistaking  cause  for  effect.  The  representa 
tive  is  elected  because  his  opinion  on  certain  subjects 
is  known  and  approved,  not  in  order  that  he  may 
be  compelled  to  register  prejudged  decisions  opposed 
to  his  own  judgment. 

I  have  before  me  at  this  moment  a  speech  of  Mr 
Clay's,  upon  a  highly  important  subject,  and  find  the 
following  words : — "  I  stand  here  as  the  humble  but 
zealous  advocate,  not  of  the  interests  of  one  state,  or 
several  states  only,  but  of  the  whole  union ;  and 
never  before  have  I  felt  more  intensely  the  over 
powering  weight  of  that  share  of  responsibility 
which  belongs  to  me  in  these  deliberations,"  &c. : 
surely  this  is  not  the  principle  of  a  hard-curbed  and 
hoodwinked  delegate.* 

In  conversation  with  more  than  one  of  the  most 

*  Vide  Debates  in  the  Senate,  Feb.  1832. 


51 

distinguished  men  in  congress,  I  have  frequently 
heard  opinions  expressed  that  quite  corroborated  the 
view  here  taken  of  the  state  of  feeling  on  this  head 
in  the  United  States. 

Other  objections  on  the  score  of  insecurity  to 
property,  real  expense  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  &c.  are  incidentally  answered  in  the 
course  of  the  following  pages ;  but  with  regard  to 
the  real  independence  of  the  judicial  power  of 
America,  so  vital  a  question  deserves  particular 
attention. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. — Its  judicial  independence 
and  high  character. — Diplomatic  agents  particularly  interested 
in  its  proceedings. — Has  jurisdiction  in  all  cases  touching  the 
law  of  nations. — State  "  Judiciaries." — Associate  judges. 

IT  would  be  quite  superfluous  on  the  part  of  the 
author  of  these  pages  to  offer  any  remarks  upon  the 
high  personal  and  judicial  character  of  the  chief 
justice  and  the  other  individuals  composing  the  su 
preme  *court  of  the  United  States ;  such  a  tribute 
of  respect,  as  he  would  be  proud  to  offer,  could  only 
be  regarded  as  a  matter  of  course,  by  those  who  have 
been  honoured  by  an  acquaintance  with  these  gentle 
men;  or  who  have  regarded  with  any  attention  the 
proceedings  of  the  court  at  which  they  preside. 

But  the  elevated  reputation  which  the  decisions 
and  conduct  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United 
States  have  so  justly  acquired,  is  by  no  means  likely 

*The  character  of  the  venerable  Chief  Justice  Marshall  is  as 
justly  appreciated  and  respected  by  those  foreigners  whose  high 
diplomatic  situations  have  afforded  them  opportunities  of  culti 
vating  his  friendship,  as  by  his  own  countrymen.  And  it  is  a 
singular  compliment  extorted  from  those  who  'are  inimical  to  the 
institutions  of  his  country,  that  they  attribute  much  of  the  success 
that  has  hitherto  attended  its  existence  to  the  personal  character 
of  the  head  of  the  supreme  court. 


53 

to  cease  with  the  lives  of  those  now  composing  it. 
If  judicial  independence  can  be  secured  by  any  safe 
guard  to  be  provided  by  legislative  foresight  or 
prudence^  it  will  not  be  difficult  to  show  that  the 
federal  "judiciary"  of  the  United  States  is  placed 
upon  as  firm  a  basis  as  can  be  well  imagined. 
The  nature  of  the  supreme  court*  of  the  United 

*  "  That  the  supreme  court  shall  have  exclusive  jurisdiction 
of  all  controversies  of  a  civil  nature,  where  a  state  is  a  party, 
except  between  a  state  and  its  citizens  ;  and  except  also  between 
a  state  and  citizens  of  other  states,  or  aliens,  in  which  latter  case 
it  shall  have  original,  but  not  exclusive  jurisdiction;  and  shall 
have,  exclusively,  all  such  jurisdiction  of  suits  or  proceedings 
against  ambassadors,  or  other  public  ministers,  or  their  domestics, 
or  domestic  servants,  as  a  court  of  law  can  have  or  exercise  con-, 
sistently  with  the  law  of  nations ;  and  original,  but  not  exclusive 
jurisdiction  of  all  suits  brought  by  ambassadors  or  other  public 
ministers,  or  in  which  a  consul  or  vice-consul  shall  be  a  party." — 
Public  and  General  Statutes  of  the  United  States,  published  by 
Justice  Story,  chap.  xx.  §  13. 

There  are  few  countries  where  the  immunities  and  privileges 
extended  by  civilized  nations  to  the  representatives  of  foreign 
powers,  are  more  complete  or  more  strictly  protected  than  in 
America :  thus,  "  if  any  writ  or  process  shall,  at  any  time  here 
after,  be  sued  forth  or  prosecuted  by  any  person  or  persons,  in 
any  of  the  courts  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  of  the  courts  of 
a  particular  state,  or  by  any  judge  or  justice  therein,  respectively, 
whereby  the  person  of  any  ambassador  or  other  public  minister,  of 
any  foreign  prince  or  state,  authorized  and  received  as  such  by  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  or  any  domestic  or  domestic  ser 
vant  of  any  such  ambassador  or  other  public  minister,  may  be  ar 
rested  or  imprisoned,  or  his  or  their  goods  or  chattels  be  distrained, 
seized,  or  attached,  such  writ  or  process  shall  be  deemed  or  adjudg 
ed  to  be  utterly  null  and  void,  to  all  intents,  construction,  and  pur 
poses  whatsoever. 


54 

States  is  the  more  interesting  to  foreigners,  as  it  has 
original  jurisdiction  in  all  suits  brought  by  foreign 
ministers,  charges-d'affaires,  &c.  It  takes  cogni 
zance  exclusively  of  all  cases  affecting  envoys  and 
other  diplomatic  functionaries,  consuls,  vice-consuls, 

§  26.  "  That  in  case  any  person  or  persons  shall  sue  forth  or 
prosecute  any  such  writ  or  process,  such  person  or  persons,  and 
all  attorneys  or  solicitors  prosecuting  or  soliciting  in  such  case, 
and  all  officers  executing  any  such  writ  or  process,  being  thereof 
convicted,  shall  be  deemed  violators  of  the  laws  of  nations,  and 
disturbers  of  the  public  repose,  and  imprisoned,  not  exceeding 
three  years,  and  fined  at  the  discretion  of  the  court^  fyc.  This 
protection  is  legally  assured  by  a  very  easy  condition,  viz.,  that 
"  the  name  of  such  servant  be  first  registered  in  the  office  of  the 
secretary  of  state,  and  by  such  secretary  transmitted  to  the  mar 
shal  of  the  district  in  which  congress  shall  reside,  who  shall,  up 
on  receipt  thereof,  affix  the  same  in  some  public  place  in  his  office, 
whereto  all  persons  may  resort  and  take  copies  without  fee  or  re 
ward." 

§  27.  "  That  if  any  person  shall  violate  any  safe  conduct  or 
passport  duly  obtained,  and  issued  under  the  authority  of  the 
United  States,  or  shall  assault,  strike,  wound,  imprison,  or  in  any 
other  manner  infract  the  law  of  nations,  by  offering  violence  to 
the  person  of  an  ambassador  or  other  public  minister,  such  person 
so  offending,  on  conviction,  shall  be  imprisoned  not  exceeding  three 
years,  and  fined  at  the  discretion  of  the  court." — Ibid.,  chap,  xxxvi. 
§  25,  26  and  27.  And  the  most  extended  and  liberal  interpreta 
tion  is  given  to  these  provisions. 

In  a  case  that  occurred  soon  after  the  assumption  of  the  throne 
by  Don  Miguel  in  Portugal,  a  suit  was  instituted  against  one  of 
the  agents  of  Don  Pedro,  or  rather  Donna  Maria.  As  this  gentle 
man  was  no  longer  legally  a  representative  (after  the  recognition 
of  Don  Miguel  by  the  United  States),  it  became  a  question  of 
some  interest  and  doubt,  whether  the  usual  privileges  would  be 
allowed  in  his  case  ;  but  the  utmost  extension  of  national  courtesy" 
was  exercised  on  this  occasion,  and  all  proceedings  accordingly 
stopped. 


55 

as  well  as  of  all  cases  connected  with  the  law  of 
nations. 

Some  important  peculiarities  are  observable  in  the 
relations  of  the  United  States  with  other  govern 
ments,  which  result  partly  from  the  form  of  its  con 
stitution,  and  partly  from  legal  causes.  In  the  rati 
fication  of  treaties,  for  instance,  the  concurrence  of 
two-thirds  of  the  senators  present  is  required  to 
carry  into  effect  the  ratification  of  the  president  of 
the  United  States.* 

Difficulties  also  arise  in  procuring  the  delivery  to 
the  agents  of  a  foreign  power  of  fugitives  from 
justice,  &c.,  somewhat  similar  to  those  which  the 
habeas  corpus  act  produces  in  cases  of  a  like  nature 
in  England.  This  was  long  ago  perceived  by  a  very 
intelligent  observer  of  American  affairs : — "  Quoi- 
qu'il  en  soit,  une  chose  tres-positive  et  qu'il  importe 
de  ne  pas  perdre  de  vue,  lorsqu'on  a  des  rapports 
politiques  avec  le  gouvernement  Americain,  c'est 
que  sa  souverainete  est  incomplete.  II  en  resulte 
que  dans  plusieurs  cas,  ou  le  droit  des  gens  est  in- 
teresse,  il  est  impossible  au  gouvernement  Ameri 
cain  d'accorder  la  reciprocite  sans  outre  passer  ses 
pouvoirs."f 

*  Vide  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  Art.  II.  sect.  2. 
t  However  this  may  be,  one  thing  is  very  certain,  and  must  by 
no  means  be  lost  sight  of  in  any  political  relations  with  the  Ameri- 


56 

The  members  of  the  federal  judiciary  are  ap 
pointed  for  life,  and  they  can  be  dismissed  from  office 
only  by  impeachment.  In  England  no  judge  can  be 
removed  but  by  conviction  for  some  offence,  or  the 
address  of  both  houses  of  parliament,  which  may 
be  called  an  act  of  legislature.  But  the  judges  of 
the  supreme  court  cannot  be  reached  by  address, 
and  enjoy  perfect  immunity  from  the  measures  of 
either  the  president  or  the  houses  of  congress.  In 
some  of  the  states,  however,  a  similar  provision  to 
that  of  our  constitution  has  been  adopted,  but  the 
dangers  to  the  practical  independence  of  the  judges, 
arising  from  popular  excitement,  have  been  neutra 
lized  by  requiring  the  concurrence  of  two-thirds  of 
each  branch  of  the  legislature,  in  order  to  effect  a 
removal. 

In  some  of  the  estates  the  judges  are  periodically 
elective :  this  I  think  must  be  considered  as  a  vicious 
system,  and  many  persons  of  experience  will  be  found 
in  the  United  States  who  much  condemn  it,  and 
who  regret  that  the  organization  is  not  universally 
assimilated  to  that  of  the  judiciary  of  the  federal 
government. 

can  government.  Its  sovereign  power  is  incomplete.  From  which 
it  results,  that  in  many  cases,  where  the  law  of  nations  is  con 
cerned,  it  is  impossible  for  the  American  government  to  admit 
reciprocity,  without  exceeding  its  legal  powers. — Politica 
dc  la  Situation  intcricure  dcs  Etats  Unis  d'Amcrique,  p.  79. 


57 

There  is  one  peculiarity  of  the  state  "judiciary" 
deserving  of  remark.  Two  associate  judges  are  ap 
pointed,  who  assist  a  legal  judge  presiding  on  the 
bench  of  the  courts  of  the  various  judicial  districts : 
this  has  appeared  to  many  foreigners  as  an  inju 
dicious  anomaly  in  legal  practice.  I  am  not  suffi 
ciently  cognizant  of  the  subject  to  attempt  to  decide 
upon  its  technical  propriety ;  but,  practically,  the  re 
sults  of  this  system  are  good.  The  associates  being 
generally  men  of  respectability  and  good  sense,  well 
acquainted  with  the  local  peculiarities  of  their  dis 
tricts,  and  engaged  in  the  ordinary  transactions  of 
life,  they  may  often  modify  the  merelegaland  strictly 
literal  application  of  the  laws.  The  presiding  law 
yer-judge,  abstracted  by  professional  pursuits  from  a 
similar  familiarity  with  the  common  business  and 
occupations  of  his  fellow-citizens,  has  thus  an  oppor 
tunity  of  obtaining  information  on  particular  cases 
from  two  persons  who  may  be  regarded  in  some 
measure  as  responsible  jurors  ;  they  may  also  be 
considered  as  answering  many  of  the  purposes  of  our 
magistrates,  of  whom  by  far  the  greater  proportion 
are  not  legal  men,  and  often  very  imperfectly  qua 
lified  to  decide  on  legal  points ;  they  are  liable  to 
greater  responsibility  however  than  our  magistracy, 
and  although  sometimes  acting  de  facto  as  equitable 
arbitrators,  leave  points  of  law  to  the  professional 

H 


58 

judge.  An  appeal  also  lies  from  their  decisions  to 
the  supreme  court. 

Captain  Hall  does  not  think  that  the  independence 
of  judicial  functions  in  the  United  States  is  suffi 
ciently  assured.  His  remarks  on  the  subject  are  so 
ably  answered  by  the  author  of  a  "  Review  of  Cap 
tain  B.  Hall's  Travels  in  North  America,"*  that  I 
must  refer  the  reader  to  an  extract  from  it,  to  be 
found  in  the  Appendix,f  for  a  much  better  elucida 
tion  of  the  subject  than  it  is  in  my  power  to  give. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  Captain  Hall  should 
have  so  decidedly  announced  a  determination  never 
himself  to  adopt  the  old  principle  of  audi  alteram 
partem  (on  the  subject  of  America),  which  he 
justly  recommends  to  others;  he  might  possibly 
have  found  that  in  some  instances  he  has,  from  the 
unavoidable  disadvantages  under  which  all  foreign 
ers  labour  when  describing  in  detail  so  extensive  a 
country  as  the  United  States,  misconceived  some 
points  in  a  moral  and  political  system  so  very  dif 
ferent  from  our  own. 

*  Attributed,  I  believe  rightly,  to  the  president  of  the  Bank  of 
the  United  States,  Mr  Biddle,*  a  gentleman  distinguished  alike 
for  sound  sense,  extensive  information,  and  the  pleasing  urbanity 
of  his  manners. 

t  Vide  Appendix,  No.   1. 

*  Note  to  Jlmerican  edition:    The  author  is  J\,  J3iddle,  Esq. 


59 

Mr  Vigne,  whose  opinions  on  this  subject  deserve 
greater  weight  from  his  being  himself  a  lawyer,  as 
well  as  from  the  generally  unprejudiced  tone  of  his 
pleasing  work,  says,  "the  authorities  of  the  su 
preme  court  are  intended  as  the  safeguards  of  the 
union ;"  and  he  adds,  justly,  "  that  the  independence 
of  this  court,  and,  in  fact,  of  all  the  federal  judi 
ciary,  may  be  termed  the  sheet  anchor  of  the 
United  States." 

The  late  decision  of  the  court  in  favour  of  the 
Cherokee  Indians,  and  reversing  a  decree  lately 
obtained  by  the  state  of  Georgia,  cannot  but  add 
to  the  dignified  and  impartial  character  that  has 
ever  distinguished  the  proceedings  of  that  eminent 
body,  and  gives  additional  confidence,  if  any  were 
wanting,  in  the  future  firmness  of  a  court,  whose 
principles  are  as  unbiassed  by  selfish  as  by  party 
feelings. 


60 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Misrepresentations  of  the  domestic  manners  of  the  Americans.-— 
Many  of  the  peculiarities  of  the  social  system  of  the  United 
States  not  attributable  exclusively  to  the  republican  form  of 
government. — Advantages  and  defects  compared  of  American 
and  English  systems. 

IT  was  not  my  intention  to  have  touched  upon 
the  social  system  of  the  United  States,  or  the  effects 
produced  upon  it  by  the  nature  of  its  government; 
it  is  but  incidentally  connected  with  the  object  of 
these  remarks.  A  late  work,  however,  upon  the 
"Domestic  Manners  of  the  Americans,"  has  pre 
sented  such  a  very  unfaithful  picture  of  society  in 
the  United  States,  that  a  few  observations  on  the 
subject  may  be  necessary.  It  is  true  that  the 
authoress  describes  but  the  manners  and  habits  of 
a  portion  of  the  community,  and  of  a  section  of  the 
country  but  lately  emerged  from  the  state  of  an 
almost  uninhabited  wilderness ;  while  her  candid 
declaration  of  dislike  and  ill-will  towards  the  Ameri 
cans  and  their  institutions,  political  or  social,  suffi 
ciently  accounts  for  the  satirical,  clever,  but  highly 
coloured  caricatures  in  which  the  writer  indulges. 
But  the  general  reader,  amused  by  the  spirited  tone  of 


61 

acerbity  and  sarcastic  talent  with  which  the  pictures 
are  drawn,  and  totally  unacquainted  with  the  country 
described,  does  not  examine  the  justice  of  the  repre 
sentation,  as  applied  to  the  upper  classes,  particu 
larly  in  the  larger  and  older  capitals,  and  mistakes 
it  for  a  general  outline  of  American  society.     This 
impression  is  fostered  by  the  notice  in  the  Quarterly 
Review,  which  carefully  keeps  out  of  view  Mrs 
Trollope's  raptures  at  New   York,  and   even   at 
Washington,  in  which  places,  however,  it  does  not 
appear  that  she,  from  whatever  cause,  ever  was  re 
ceived  in  the  higher  circles.     Of  Boston  and  New 
England,  generally,  which  others*  describe  as,  par 
excellence,  the  seat  of  ultra  aristocracy  in  the  United 
States,  the  work  does  not  speak  at  all. 

To  estimate  justly  the  fidelity  of  the  writer's 
satire  as  a  tableau  general  of  American  society  in 
the  United  States,  let  us  imagine  an  American,  or 
any  other  foreigner,  corning  to  England,  and  "lo 
cating"  himself  in  the  fens  of  Lincolnshire,  or  in 
some  remote  village  of  Lancashire!  or  Yorkshire, 
and  giving  the  language,  tone,  and  manners  of  the 

*  Vide  Vigne,  Vol.  II.  p.  242. 

t  Mr  M'Gregor  says,  speaking  of  the  United  States,  "  no  gen 
tleman  who  is  commonly  polite  will  meet  with  any  thing  but  kind 
treatment  in  America  ;  and  as  to  the  peculiarities  of  their  tongue, 
I  need  only  observe  that  1  have  never  met  with  an  American,  however 
humble,  whose  language  was  not  perfectly  plain  and  intelligible  to 


62 

society  that  he  might  find  there  as  a  fair  specimen 
of  good  company  in  England ;  or  lodging  at  Wap- 
ping,  or  in  some  obscure  part  of  the  Tower  Hamlets, 
and  giving  the  "veils"  and  "vats,"  the  "osses"  and 
"  himages"  of  some  of  the  cockney  population  as  a 
fair  sample  of  London  manners !  He  might  even 
add,  "  I  give  this  as  a  specimen  of  the  manners  and 
habits  of  the  greater  part  of  the  community,"  with 
literal  truth,  as  doubtless,  numerically,  the  major 
part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  metropolis  do  not  dis 
tinguish  themselves  as  puristes  in  language ;  but 
would  it  be  strictly  fair  to  convey  such  an  impress 
ion  of  the  general  manners  of  England,  if  a  faith 
ful  picture  were  intended  ?  The  late  publication 
of  the  tour  of  prince  Ptichler  Muskeau  is  a  fulsome 
eloge  of  English  usages  compared  with  Mrs  Trol- 
lope's  account  of  American  manners ;  yet  it  has  not 
escaped  censure  neither  the  most  gentle  nor  argu 
mentative. 

If  the  foreign  traveller  whom  I  am  supposing,  in 
addition  to  his  bad  choice  of  residence,  should  evince 
the  equally  bad  taste  of  visiting  England  under  the 
auspices  of  Mr  Carlile  or  the  "Rev."  Mr  Taylor, 
and  come  to  pass  some  time  under  their  roof,  it 
would  not  contribute  to  render  his  subsequent  ac- 

me ;  while  I  can  scarcely  understand  half  what  the  country  people 
say  within  a  few  miles  of  me  in  Lancashire,"  <%c.*—Vite  M'Gregor, 
Vol.  I.  p.  39. 

•': 


63 

cess  to  the  best  society  more  ready.  It  was  doubt 
less  unfavourable  to  the  opportunities  which  the 
authoress  herself  could  of  course  have  easily  com 
manded,  of  personally  judging  of  the  high  classes 
of  society  in  America,  that  some  of  her  "  philoso 
phical  friend  V  "fanatical"*  and  "  startling  theories" 
were  highly  unpopular  in  the  United  States,  and 
an  intimacy  with  that  lady  was,  possibly,  not  the 
best  avenue  to  the  society  of  the  "  patrician  few" 
whose  manners  are  not  described  by  the  authoress. 

In  Miss  Wright's  lectures,  according  to  the  Quar 
terly  Reviewf  and  the  newspaper  reports  upon  them, 
she  advocated  the  suppression  of  all  religions,  and 
the  abolition  of  all  such  restraints  upon  the  natural 
impulses,  as  the  institution  of  marriage,  &c.  &c. 

A  strong  prejudice  exists  in  America,  notwith 
standing  the  supposed  want  of  respect  for  all  esta 
blished  customs,  in  favour  of  these  antiquated  insti 
tutions,  and  against  the  doctrines  promulgated  by 
Miss  Wright ;  and,  in  a  country  where  such  a  feel 
ing  is  predominant,  and  where  the  women  of  the 
upper  classes  are  accused  of  being  prudishly  sensitive 

*  The  Quarterly,  in  reviewing  Mrs  Trollope's  book,  thus  de 
signates  Miss  Wright's  attempts  to  preach  down  religion,  mar 
riage,  &c. ;  while  the  poor  German  Prince  is  called  a  "  blasphe 
mer,"  a  "scoffer,"  &c. — Vide  Quarterly  Review,  Nos.  XCIL, 
XCIIL,  1832. 

t  K  Miss  F.  Wright,  lecturer  itinerant  against  Christianity, 
matrimony,  and  all  other  old-fashioned  delusions,"  &c. — Ibid. 


64 

on  all  subjects  where  female  delicacy  is  concerned, 
it  is  not  difficult  to  conceive  that  her  patronage  was 
no  passport  to  the  best  society.  Mrs  Trollope  very 
properly  condemns  the  system  of  Miss  Wright,  and 
in  much  stronger  terms  than  the  reviewer ;  but  it  is 
to  be  presumed  that  justice  was  not  done  to  her  on 
this  score,  or  we  should  doubtless  have  seen  in  her 
book  descriptions  proportionately  as  graphic  and 
faithful  to  the  good  society  of  America  as  her  dia 
tribes  against  the  lower  orders  are  severe  and  char- 
gees.  Judging  by  the  high  praise  that  she  bestows 
on  some  portion*  of  what  she  saw  in  the  United 
States,  it  is  fair  to  suppose  that  she  would  have  done 
justice  to  a  very  different  state  of  society  from  that 
which  she  describes,  had  she  enjoyed  opportunities 
of  personally  forming  an  opinion  on  the  habits  of 
the  upper  ranks. 

As  to  the  more  classical  refinements  produced  by 
the  cultivation  of  a  taste  for  the  fine  arts,  and  the 
elaborate  luxuries  which  naturally  arise  in  a  commu 
nity  where  hereditary  wealth  and  rank  give  leisure 
and  encouragement  to  the  lighter  and  more  seduc 
tive  studies,  they  cannot  be  expected  to  attain  rapidly 
to  any  perfection,  when  the  very  culture  of  the  soil 
is  in  its  infancy.  But  it  is  surprising  that  where 

*  Vide  her  Descriptions  of  New  York,  Washington,  beauty  of 
the  women,  &c.  &c. 


65 

pursuits  and  occupations,  little  connected  with  lite 
rary  and  scientific  pursuits,  are  of  necessity  so  uni 
versally  followed,  there  should,  in  the  older  Atlantic 
capitals  at  least,  be  such  progress  already  made 
towards  these  ornamental  superstructures  of  civili 
zation.     Le  superflu,  chose  si  necessaire,  may  be 
found  either  at  Boston,  New  York,  Philadelphia, 
&c.,  and  in  much  greater  perfection  that  might 
reasonably  be  expected  by  Europeans ;  those  who 
are  disappointed  at  not  finding  the  "stately  homes 
of  England"  rising  among  primeval  forests,  or  on  the 
banks  of  rivers  that  but  a  few  years  back  watered 
the  undisturbed  domain  of  the  painted  Indian,  have 
in  truth  built  castles  in  the  air  when  they  proceeded 
to  visit  America.  .  And  if  we  find  little  artificial 
and  conventional  refinement  among  persons  enjoy 
ing  many  of  those  comforts  of  affluence  that  among 
us  are  generally  the  portion  of  the  few  and  educated 
alone,  should  we  not  rather  consider  the  complete 
independence  and  comparative  happiness  of  a  large 
class  of  men,  who  in  the  mother  country  might  be 
starving  on  the  miserable  stipend  of  a  poor-house, 
or  on  the  daily  wages  of  fifteen  hours'  work  in  a 
manufactory,  than  be  surprised  at  their  rusticity  of 
manner  ?     It  is  quite  true,  that  many  of  the  habi 
tual  elegances  of  life  (which  a  very  few  years  ago 
were  exotic  superfluities  in  our  own  country)  are 
i 


66 

not  to  be  met  with  in  the  recently  settled  countries, 
and  there  are  "  men  of  education  and  of  refine 
ment,*  in  every  state  of  the  union,"  who  know  by 
the  experience  acquired  in  other  countries,  the  full 
value  of  the  advantages  that  they  cannot  expect  as 
yet  to  realize  in  their  own.  But  let  us  pause 
awhile,  and  reflect,  that  if  we  listen  to  the  predic 
tions  of  those  wTho  argue  the  speedy  downfall  of  the 
political  institutions  of  America,  we  should  also 
awrait  the  lapse  of  a  few  years  of  successful  improve 
ments,  to  pronounce  on  the  possibility  of  refine 
ment  following  in  the  steps  of  wealth  and  education, 
especially  in  that  country,  where  a  comparatively 
very  short  period  suffices  to  produce  a  wonderful 
advancement.  Nor  should  wre  attribute  all  the  de 
fects  incident  to  the  infancy  of  every  society  en 
tirely  to  the  effects  of  the  popular  nature  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States.  The  inhabi 
tants  of  the  contemporaneous  colonies  of  British 
America,!  under  similar  physical  circumstances, 
evince  the  same  aversion  for  menial  service,  from 
like  causes,  and  have  not  been  more  distinguished 
in  the  career  of  literature,  arts  and  sciences,  than 
their  immediate  neighbours,  although  under  a  very 
different  form  of  government ;  nor  can  it  for  some 
time  be  expected  that  it  should  be  otherwise. 

*  Vide  Vigne,  Vol.  II.  p.  242. 

t  Vide  B.  Hall's  Travels  in  North  America,  Vol.  T.  p.  229,  £c. 


67 

If  there  are  not,  however,  in  America,  generally, 
whether  colonial  or  independent,  many  of  the  ad 
vantages  which  hereditary  rank  and  privileged 
wealth  indisputably  bring  in  their  /ram,  neither  are 
there  their  countervailing  evils;  political  corrup 
tion,  for  instance,  is  nearly  impracticable ;  if  the 
conventional  forms  and  increasing  artificial  wants 
of  the  highly  artificial  system  of  England  are  want 
ing,  neither  is  there  to  be  discovered  that  much 
more  disgusting  and  contemptible  real  vulgarity 
resulting  from  the  abject  worship  of  rank  and 
wealth  that  debases  the  lower  orders,  and  some 
members  of  almost  every  class  of  society  in  our 
country.  If  the  roughness  of  manner  and  extreme 
independence  of  the  lower  classes*  in  the  remote 

*  There  are  many  parts  of  Europe  where  the  freedom  of  man 
ner  of  the  lower  classes  would  much  startle  a  cockney  traveller, 
particularly  in  nations  where  Englishmen  are  inclined  to  think 
that  a  great  degree  of  personal  degradation  must  necessarily  be 
found  among  the  bourgeois  and  peasantry.  In  Spain,  Austria, 
Denmark,  or  Sweden,  a  traveller  is  frequently  struck  by  this  in 
dependence  of  deportment.  I  have  witnessed  it  in  all  these 
countries,  but  particularly  in  Spain.  In  the  mountains  of  Anda 
lusia,  in  a  hovel  of  a  venta,  the  host,  or  his  brother  peasants,  will 
receive  you  with  perfect  good-nature  and  rough  hospitality,  but 
with  a  cool  tacit  assertion  of  perfect  equality  in  demeanour,  as 
widely  different  from  the  habits  of  England  as  are  those  of  America, 
It  is  true,  that  while  eating  garlic  with  a  pocket-knife  and  with  a 
lack  of  the  means  and  appliances  of  civilized  life  that  would  be 
the  death  of  a  dandy,  the  lowest  Spaniard  has  a  quiet  dignity  of 
manner  that,  however  rustic,  must  exclude  vulgarity,  which 
never  can  exist  where  there  is  a  true  and  natural  independence  of 


68 

parts  of  the  union  be  occasionally  disagreeable  to 
Europeans,  accustomed  to,  and  perhaps  exacting, 
the  interested  homage  paid  to  opulence  in.  other 
countries,  the  ^assesses  with  which  exclusive  divini 
ties  are  propitiated  in  England  (and  verily  often  by 
those  who  have  little  excuse  for  not  knowing  bet 
ter)  are  unknown.  There  may  be  much  want 
of  external  polish  found  combined  with  much  prac 
tical  good  sense ;  although  there  are  few  of  the  mis 
erable  coxcombries  of  dandyism, — there  will  be 

feeling  and  absence  of  affectation.  This  freedom,  or  perhaps 
coarseness,  of  manner  is  not  offensive  (at  least  I  never  found  it 
so),  because  you  perceive  in  it  an  evident  absence  of  all  inten 
tional  incivility;  yet  it  was,  perhaps,  more  near  being  disagreeable 
sometimes  in  the  cafes  and  larger  fondas  or  inns,  where  the  wait 
ers  when  unemployed  would  quietly  take  their  seats,  after,  per 
haps,  asking  you  to  light  their  cigar  with  your  own.  I  remember 
particularly  on  board  one  of  the  steam-boats  that  run  between 
Cadiz  and  Seville  (for  steam-boats  now  are  constructed  on  the 
banks  of  the  Guadalquivir,  and  somewhat  disenchant  the  reveries 
of  the  traveller),  the  waiter,  with  his  cap  on  his  head  and  stump 
of  a  cigarillo  in  his  mouth,  quietly  seated  himself  by  me  and  took 
one  of  my  pistols  from  holsters  lying  near,  and  began  coolly  to 
descant  on  the  merits  of  its  English  workmanship.  I  have  been 
on  board  many  American  steam-boats,  and  never  saw  the  theory 
of  equality  and  independence  so  strongly  exemplified  by  the  prac 
tices  of  any  of  their  attendants.  There  is  a  want  of  keeping  in 
this  sort  of  familiarity  when  in  a  crowded  city  or  on  board  one  of 
these  floating  hotels,  at  least  our  associations  make  us  think  so, 
that  is  infinitely  more  likely  to  give  a  slight  feeling  of  what  the 
French  call  chair  depoule,  than  when  we  meet  the  active  peasant 
on  the  mountain-paths  of  the  Contraband istas,  or  the  athletic, 
well-armed,  and  well-mounted  "  caballero,"  who  maybe  no  better 
(or  no  worse}  than  a  peasant,  in  the  wild  fastnesses  of  a  Moorish 
village  on  the  sierras  of  Andalusia. 


69 

• 

found  successful  individuals  of  humble  origin  (not 
forming  exceptions  to  a  rule,  but)  in  numbers  suf 
ficient  to  prove  amply  that  talent  and  well-directed 
industry  and  energy  are  certain,  as  human  institu 
tions  can  make  them,  of  being  rewarded  by  the  high 
est  stations  in  society :  yet  it  will  not  be  easy  to 
find  among  the  numerous  and  efficient  employes  of 
the  American  government  a  single  specimen  of  the 
genus,  vulgarly,  but  expressively,  classified  as  the 
"  Jack-in-office,"  whose  absurd  or  stupid  imperti 
nence  often  clogs  the  operations  of  the  European 
bureaux  that  they  infest.  There  are  to  be  found 
men  of  large  hereditary  or  acquired  possessions, 
whose  feelings,  education  and  manners  would  orna 
ment  any  society,  divested  of  the  puerile  varieties 
of  an  exclusive  circle,  or  the  putid  puppyisms  of 
the  silver-fork  school. 

Americans  may  well  be  excused  if  their  patience 
is  somewhat  taxed  by  the  short-sighted  and  captious 
criticisms  that  are  sometimes  uttered  by  foreigners 
upon  their  country,  their  government,  or  their  man 
ners.  I  look  at  that  immense  tract  of  country  west 
of  the  Alleghanies,  that  a  very  few  years  ago  was 
comparatively  a  wild  forest,  where  many  millions 
of  acres  were  thinly  occupied  by  a  *few  thousand 
inhabitants,  and  see  a  population  already  greater 
than  that  of  several  independent  kingdoms,  daily 


70 

increasing  in  numbers  and  adding  to  their  comforts; 
where  cities  and  towns  spring  up  as  if  by  magic  from 
among  the  woods ;  its  plains  traversed  by  rail-roads 
and  its  gigantic  rivers  covered  with  steam-boats.  I 
see  all  this  going  on  without  tumult,  bloodshed,  or 
disorder ;  and  when  I  exclaim,  "  this  is  a  noble,  an 
extraordinary  country !"  I  am  answered  in  Abigail 
phrase — "  but,  shocking,  the  people  eat  with  their 
knives !" 

*  "  Witness  the  result  of  free  and  protecting  institutions.  Fifty 
years  ago  the  population  westward  of  the  Alleghanies  did  not  ex 
ceed  15,000,  now  it  amounts  to  five  millions.  The  population  of 
priest-ridden  Mexico  has  not  increased  for  centuries." — See  Vigne, 
Vol.  II.  p.  85. 


71 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Financial  and  general  prosperity  of  United  States. — Its  peculiar 
causes  considered. — Principally  attributable  to  a  free  and  pro 
tecting  government. — Mexican  and  South  American  republics 
compared  with  the  United  States. — Report  of  Mr  M'Lane  on 
the  finances  of  the  United  States.  Opinions  of  Revue  Britan- 
nique  and  Quarterly  Review  on  economy  of  American  govern 
ment. 

THAT  part  of  the  American  system  which,  perhaps, 
most  strikes  the  European  observer,  is  its  excellent 
financial  administration,  and  the  success  that  has 
hitherto  constantly  attended  all  the  fiscal  arrange 
ments  of  the  union,  as  well  as  the  continued  in 
crease  of  its  sources  of  revenue  not  accompanied 
hy  a  proportionate  augmentation  of  expenditure. 
Again,  if  we  turn  from  the  contemplation  of  the 
revenue  and  expenses  of  the  federal  government  to 
consider  the  general  revenues  of  the  United  States 
as  a  nation,  the  growing  prosperity  and  riches  of 
each  state,  of  companies,  or  individuals,  we  find 
generally  an  equally  flourishing  state  of  things. 

Many  peculiar  but  sufficiently  obvious  circum 
stances  contribute  to  this  unexplained  prosperity. 
The  virgin  soil  of  immense  and  fruitful  tracts  of 


72 

unoccupied  territory  awaiting  the  increasing  wants 
of  an  enterprising  and  industrious  population ;  the 
non-existence  of  powerful  and  jealous  neighbouring 
governments;  or,  at  least,  of  such  as  seek  to  interfere 
with  the  growing  fortunes  of  the  republic,  or  who 
have  any  interest  in  so  doing ;  all  the  facilities  for 
commercial  undertakings  that  are  afforded  by  the 
command  of  numerous  excellent  harbours,  maritime 
cities,  immense  rivers,  every  material  for  ship 
building,  and  the  possibility  of  producing  the  growth 
of  almost  every  soil  or  climate  within  their  own 
territory: — these  advantages,  improved  by  the  pe 
culiar  feelings,  disposition,  and  habits,  which  I 
may  be  excused  as  an  Englishman  for  thinking  are 
inherited  from  the  mother  country, — all  these  con 
tribute,  together  with  many  others  that  might  be 
enumerated,  to  the  unexampled  progress  of  the 
extraordinary  country  that  we  are  considering. 

But  although,  when  tracing  the  sources  of  this 
prosperity  of  the  Transatlantic  republic,  due  weight 
must  be  allowed  for  the  cb-operation  of  all  the 
above  causes  in  producing  such  successful  results, 
we  must  not  forget  that  they  are  mainly  attribu 
table  to  the  free  institutions  adopted  from  the 
commencement  of  the  existence  of  the  United 
States  as  an  independent  government.  This  pop 
ular  form  of  government  may  be  said  to  have 


73 

owed  its  origin  and  frame  work  to  the  system  al 
ready  in  force  when  America  formed  part  of  the 
colonial  possessions  of  Great  Britain. 

Nor  can  it  be  denied  that  the  character  of  the 
people  and  their  previous  political  education  (if  this 
term  may  be  allowed),  impressed  with  the  habits, 
and  familiar  with  the  mechanism,  of  representative 
and  free  forms  of  government  (one  of  their  best 
inheritances  from  their  British  progenitors),  had 
the  greatest  influence  in  forming  the  system  that 
at  present  regulates  the  American  federation,  and 
produced  the  most  beneficial  effects  in  carrying 
into  practice  the  principles  adopted  at  its  founda 
tion. 

The  spirit  that  animates  the  institutions  of  the 
United  States  affords  encouragement  to  all  classes 
to  improve  each  of  the  numerous  resources  within 
their  reach ;  by  facilitating*  education  and  the  dif 
fusion  of  practical  knowledge,  the  people  are  pre 
pared  to  reap  those  advantages,  the  possession  of 
which  is  afterwards  protected  by  the  force  and 
stability  of  the  laws.  The  results  so  far  exceed  the 
rational  anticipations  of  even  impartial  observers, 
that  in  seeking  to  account  for  them,  we  are  apt  to  un 
dervalue  the  immense  effects  of  free  and  protecting 

institutions  in  producing  such  gigantic  consequences, 

.»*— -j 

*  Vide  Appendix,  List  of  Colleges,  &c. 


74 

and  thus  ascribe  an  undue  share  in  their  produc 
tion  to  the  influence  of  other  causes.  Doubtless 
the  adoption  of  the  form  of  government  of  the 
United  States  would  not  have  alone  caused  an  in 
crease  of  population  from  three  to  thirteen  millions 
in  fifty  years,  nor  the  absence  of  a  national  debt 
— nor  would  it  have  created  such  a  maritime  force 
and  commercial  navy  as  now  exist  in  America ;  but, 
on  the  other  hand,  all  the  favourable  circumstances 
to  which  we  have  alluded  would  not,  under  an  op 
posite  system,  have  produced  similar  prosperity. 

Look  at  Mexico,  for  instance,  favoured  by  climate 
(except  on  parts  of  the  sea-coast  or  in  the  Gulf) 
beyond  almost  any  country  in  the  same  latitude  ; 
and  its  productions  of  the  richest  and  most  profi 
table  nature,  with  an  immense  and  fertile  territory : 
yet  we  see  little  promise,  since  the  acknowledge 
ment  of  her  independence,  of  such  a  proportionate 
aggrandizement  as  the  example  of  the  United  States 
might  lead  us  to  expect.  Some  of  its  richest  and 
most  available  territory  is  at  this  moment  occupied 
and  brought  into  cultivation  by  a  sort  of  private 
colony*  of  natives  of  the  United  States ;  and  this 
with  the  connivance,  if  not  protection  and  consent 
of  the  Mexican  government,  who  rightly  feel  that 

*  For  some  account  of  this  colony,  and  the  province  of  Texas, 
see  Appendix. 


, 75 

the  resources  of  this  important  province  (the  Texas) 
will  not  soon  be  rendered  available  by  their  own 
people.  If  we  look  to  the  governments  of  South 
America,  the  results  hitherto  are  still  less  encourag 
ing,  for  the  prospects  of  sudden  emancipation  (even 
under  highly  favourable  physical  circumstances)  of 
a  people  not  duly  prepared  to  enjoy  political  in 
dependence. 

It  is  true  that  some  essential  features  of  resem 
blance  are  wanting  to  render  the  parallel  between 
the  United  States  and  South  America  complete. 
It  has  been  objected  that  the  South  American  re 
publics  form  several  distinct  and  independent  coun 
tries,  jealous  of  each  other,  and  often  as  opposed 
by  interests  as  different  in  habits ;  while,  at  the 
same  time,  they  are  separated  by  immense  distances 
and  natural  obstacles.  Yet  the  South  American 
governments  are  more  entirely  the  scions  of  the 
common  stock  than  the  states  of  the  North 
American  union, — they  are  almost  exclusively  of 
Spanish  origin,  speaking  the  same  language  and  hav 
ing  the  same  religion ;  nor  are  they  more  disunited 
by  distance,  climate,  or  local  interests,  than  the 
northern  population  of  the  United  States  are  dis 
tinct  from  their  southern  fellow-citizens ;  added  to 
which,  many  of  the  states  of  the  union  do  not,  even 


76 

at  the  present  day,  assimilate  either  in  language, 
habits,  or  religion.* 

Why  should  the  governments  of  South  America 
not  have  worked  so  well  as  that  of  North  America, 
unless  from  this  want  of  previous  habits  of  in 
dependence  in  the  majority  of  the  population,  and 
a  total  ignorance  of  practical  self-government? 
The  same  want  of  political  experience  was  observ- 

*  New  York  was  the  Dutch  colony  of  New  Amsterdam,  and  at 
this  moment  many  of  the  old  Dutch  families  of  New  York  are 
among  the  first  in  the  union.  On  the  occasion  of  a  late  visit  of 
the  minister  of  the  King  of  Holland,  M.  Bangemann  Huygens,  to 
Albany,  speeches  and  toasts,  at  dinners  given  to  him  in  that  capi 
tal,  were  made  and  replied  to  in  the  original  language  of  the  colony, 
which  is  still  as  familiar  to  many  of  the  old  families  in  New 
York  as  English  5  or,  if  we  may  rely  upon  the  veracious  History 
of  Knickerbocker,  much  more  so.  In  Pennsylvania,  as  well  as 
many  other  states,  there  are  great  numbers  of  Germans,  Swedes, 
and  Finns,  &c.  or  their  descendants.  In  Louisiana,  the  language 
is  principally  French  or  Spanish ;  indeed  many  of  the  natives  of 
that  state  do  not  understand  English :  in  Florida,  Spanish  is  gen 
eral.  The  religion  of  the  latter  states  is  chiefly  catholic  :  Mary 
land  is  also  principally  inhabited  by  catholics.  In  parts  of  New 
England  the  descendants  of  the  puritans  still  retain  much  of  their 
former  strictness  in  religious  duties.  The  followers  of  Penn 
are  still  numerous  in  Pennsylvania,  and  the  tables  in  the  Appen 
dix  will  serve  to  show  that  there  are  about  half  as  many  diiferent 
religious  denominations  as  are  enumerated  by  Evans  in  his 
"  Sketch  of  the  Denominations  of  the  Christian  World;"  yet,  not 
withstanding  these  apparently  discordant  elements,  the  system  of 
a  federal  union,  combined  with  popular  institutions,  for  which 
the  majority  of  the  population  were  previously  prepared  by  their 
political  education,  has  hitherto  produced  very  different  results 
from  those  of  a  similar  experiment  in  South  America. 


77 

able  in  many  of  the  theorists  of  the  liberal  party 
who  appeared  in  Spain  at  the  time  of  the  Cortez, 
and  was  one  of  the  principal*  domestic  causes  of 
its  little  internal  stability. 

A  succinct  and  able  expose  of  the  present  state 
of  the  finances  of  the  United  States  is  to  be  found 
in  the  "Report"  of  Mr  M'Lane  (late  envoy  at  this 
court,  and  now  secretary  of  the  treasury  at  Wash 
ington),  submitted  to  congress  last  December. 
There  are  few  nations  who,  at  any  period  of  their 
history,  can  refer  to  such  an  encouraging  statement 
as  is  there  given,  or  can  look  forward  to  fairer 
prospects  of  financial  prosperity  than  are  clearly 
presented  by  this  report. 

In  this  paper  Mr  M'Lane  recommends  the  sale 
of  certain  stocks,  held  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  to  the  amount  of  eight  millions  of 
dollars ;  he  having  clearly  shown  that  they  possess 
the  disposable  means  at  present  of  reimbursing  the 
whole  of  the  public  debt  before  the  3d  of  March 
1833.  The  objects  connected  with  the  early  re 
imbursement  of  the  public  debt  being,  as  he  justly 
remarks,  more  important  than  the  interests  of  the 
government  as  mere  stockholders. 

*  There  is  little  doubt,  however,  that  the  foundation  of  a  solid 
constitutional  government  would  have  been  laid  in  Spain,  but  for 
the  last  interference  of  a  foreign  power  to  aid  the  views  of  one 
party  in  the  state. 


78 

The  obstacles  to  this  arrangement  consist  in  the 
inexpediency  of  throwing  so  large  an  amount  into 
the  public  market,  to  obviate  which  a  satisfactory 
arrangement  with  the  Bank  of  the  United  States 
itself  is  suggested  :  and  should  his  plans  be  adopted, 
the  total  annihilation  of  the  public  debt,  on  or  be 
fore  the  3d  March  1833  may  be  effected;  after 
which  period,  the  amount  of  revenue  applicable 
to  that  object  will,  of  course,  no  longer  be  re 
quired.  He  thus  comments  upon  this  prospect : 

"  The  moral  influence  which  such  an  example 
would  necessarily  produce  throughout  the  world, 
in  removing  apprehension,  and  inspiring  newT  con 
fidence  in  our  free  institutions,  cannot  be  questioned, 
seventeen  years  ago  our  country  emerged  from  an 
expensive  wrar,  incumbered  with  a  debt  of  more 
than  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  millions,  and 
in  a  comparatively  defenceless  state.     In  this  short 
period  it  has  promptly  repealed  all  the  direct  and 
internal  taxes  which  were  imposed  during  the  war, 
relying  mainly  upon  revenue  derived  from  imposts, 
and   sales   of  the   public   domain.     From    these 
sources,  besides  providing  for  the  general  expendi 
ture,  the  frontier  has  been  extensively  fortified,  the 
naval  and  maritime  resources  strengthened,  and  part 
of  the  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  survivors  of  the  re 
volutionary  war  discharged.     We  have,  moreover, 


79 

contributed  a  large  share  to  the  general  improve 
ment,  added  to  the  extent  of  the  union,  by  the  pur 
chase  of  the  valuable  territory  of  Florida,  and  final 
ly,  acquired  the  means  of  extinguishing  the  heavy 
debt  incurred  in  sustaining  the  late  war,  and  all 
remains  of  the  debt  of  the  revolution. 

"The  anxious  hope  with  which  the  people  have 
looked  forward  to  this  period,  not  less  than  the 
present  state  of  the  public  mind,  and  the  real  in 
terests  of  the  community  at  large,  recommend  the 
prompt  application  of  these  means  to  that  great 
object,  if  it  can  be  done  consistently  with  a  proper 
regard  for  other  important  considerations." 

Mr  M'Lane  proceeds  to  state  that  the  estimated 
revenue  for  the  expenditure  of  the  government  of 
the  United  States  as  at  present  authorized,  need  not 
exceed  annually  the  very  moderate  sum  of  thirteen 
and  a  half  millions  of  dollars.  But  he  judiciously 
recommends  appropriations  in  addition  to  this  sum, 
for  certain  objects,  some  of  which  have  long  since 
excited  the  attention  of  all  observers  of  American 
affairs,  on  either  shore  of  the  Atlantic,  as  urgently 
claiming  the  assisting  care  of  the  government  of 
the  United  States.  He  thus  enumerates  the  most 
prominent  of  these  objects : 

"For  augmenting  the  naval  and  military  resour 
ces  ;  extending  the  armouries ,  arming  the  militia 


80 

of  the  several  states ;  increasing  the  pay  and  emolu 
ments  of  the  navy  officers  to  an  equality  with  those 
of  the  army,  and  providing  them  with  the  means 
of  nautical  instruction  ;  enlarging  the  navy  hospital 
fund ;  strengthening  the  frontier  defences  ;  remov 
ing  obstructions  from  the  western  waters,  for  mak 
ing  accurate  and  complete  surveys  of  the  coast, 
and  for  improving  the  coasts  and  harbours  of  the 
union,  so  as  to  afford  greater  facilities  to  the  com 
merce  and  navigation  of  the  United  States.  The 
occasion  would  also  be  a  favourable  one  for  con 
structing  custom-houses  and  warehouses  in  the 
principal  commercial  cities,  in  some  of  which  they 
are  indispensably  necessary  for  the  purposes  of  the 
revenue  5  and  likewise  providing  for  the  proper, 
permanent  accommodation  of  the  courts  of  the 
United  States  and  their  officers. 

"  In  many  districts  the  compensation  of  the  offi 
cers  of  the  customs,  in  the  present  state  of  com 
merce,  is  insufficient  for  their  support,  and  inade 
quate  to  their  services.  As  a  part  of  the  general 
system,  and  effectually  to  guard  the  revenue,  the 
services  of  such  officers  are  necessary,  without  re 
gard  to  the  amount  of  business,  and  it  is  believed 
expedient  to  make  their  allowance  commensurate 
with  the  vigilance  required  and  the  duties  to 
be  performed.  A  further  improvement  may  be 


81 

made  in  the  mode  of  compensating  the  officers  of 
the  customs,  by  substituting  salaries  for  fees  in  all 
the  collection  districts,  by  which,  at  a  comparatively 
small  expense  to  the  treasury,  commerce  and  navi 
gation  would  be  relieved  from  burthens,  always 
inconvenient,  if  not  oppressive. 

"  It  is  believed  that  the  public  property  and  offi 
ces  at  the  seat  of  government  require  improvement 
and  extension,  and  that  further  appropriations  might 
be  made  to  adapt  them  to  the  increasing  business 
of  the  country. 

"The  salaries  of  the  public  ministers  abroad  must 
be  acknowledged  to  be  utterly  inadequate,  either  for 
the  dignity  of  the  office,  or  the  necessary  comforts 
of  their  families.  At  some  foreign  courts,*  and 

*  The  salary  of  a  minister  from  the  United  States  to  any  for 
eign  court  is  about  2000Z.,  with  an  outfit  of  the  same  sum.  The 
consequence  of  this  utter  inadequacy  of  appointments,  for  sup 
porting  the  position  necessarily  occupied  by  a  foreign  minister, 
either  in  London,  Paris,  Petersburg!!,  or  Madrid,  or  any  of  the 
expensive  residences  is,  that  no  minister  will  be  found  to  remain 
long  at  any  of  these  courts,  unless  he  can  afford  to  spend  at  least 
as  much  again  us  the  salary  from  his  government.  In  London, 
for  instance,  in  the  case  of  two  American  ministers,  whose  ex 
penses  I  happened  to  know,  it  was  obvious  that  half  their  appoint 
ments  went  to  defray  the  expense  of  two  items  alone  of  their 
establishment,  viz.  house-rent  and  equipage.  In  Madrid  there 
are  many  articles  of  comparatively  trifling  expense  in  other  coun 
tries,  that  are  there  extremely  expensive.  The  utter  insufficiency 
of  the  salaries  of  the  American  foreign  ministers  has  long  been 
felt  in  the  United  States;  but  it  is  very  difficult  to  make 'the 
members  of  congress  from  the  remoter  parts  of  the  union  com- 

L 


82 

those  whose  relations  towards  the  United  States  are 
the  most  important,  the  expenses  incident  to  the 
station  are  found  so  burthensome,  as  only  to  be  met 
by  the  private  resources  of  the  minister.  The  ten 
dency  of  this  is  to  throw  those  high  trusts  altogether 
into  the  hands  of  the  tych,  which  is  certainly  not 
according  to  the  genius  of  our  system.  Such  a 
provision  for  public  ministers  as  would  obviate  those 
evils,  and  enable  the  minister  to  perform  the  com 
mon  duties  of  hospitality  to  his  countrymen,  and 
promote  social  intercourse  between  the  citizens  of 
both  nations,  would  not  only  elevate  the  character 
of  his  country,  but  essentially  improve  its  public 
relations. 

"  In  addition  to  these  objects,  further  provision 

prehend  the  extreme  difference  in  the  scale  of  expenditure,  abso 
lutely  necessary  in  Europe  (to  enable  a  foreign  minister  properly 
to  support  his  position),  from  that  to  which  they  have  been  accus 
tomed. 

Mr  M'Gregor,  in  his  very  useful  work  on  British  America, 
furnishes  an  additional  proof,  if  any  were  wanting,  of  the  extreme 
inaccuracy  with  which  foreigners  sometimes,  with  the  best  inten 
tions,  represent  the  affairs  of  other  countries.  Mr  M'Gregor  has 
every  wish  to  do  justice  to  the  United  States,  and  is  generally 
very  correct  in  his  descriptions ;  we  find,  however,  the  following 
errors  (possibly  typographical).  "  The  salary  of  the  President  is 
25,000  dollars,  or  about  4,000/."  (it  is  equivalent  to  between  5 
and  6,OOOZ.);  Vice-President  5,000  dollars,  or  about  1,0002."  (!) 
Afterwards  he  says,  "  Foreign  ministers  receive  800/."  whereas 
they  receive  about  2,000/.  It  is  a  pity  that  these  errata  were 
allowed  to  remain.  Vide  M'Gregor,  Vol.  I.  p.  45. 


83 

may  be  made  for  those  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
revolution  who  are  yet  spared  as  monuments  of 
that  patriotism  and  self-devotion,  to  which,  under 
Providence,  we  owe  our  multiplied  blessings." 

Yet  with  a  view  to  effect  all  these  highly  neces 
sary  and  important  objects,  together  with  some 
others  relating  to  such  internal  improvements  as  are 
within  the  control  of  the  congress ;  and  the  whole 
estimated  expenses  of  the  government,  an  annual 
revenue  of  15,000,000  dollars  will  suffice,  or  not 
3,500,000/.  The  whole  expenditure  of  the  fede 
ral  government  will  consequently  hardly  exceed 
one  dollar  for  each  individual  annually  throughout 
the  union. 

It  must  be  allowed  that,  considering  the  advan 
tages  and  security  to  individuals,  found  in  America, 
and  the  efficient  manner  in  which  all  her  diploma 
tic,  military,  and  other  services  are  conducted,  and 
that  this  estimate  contemplates  an  increase  in  the 
expenses  and  remunerations  in  some  of  the  depart 
ments  of  the  government,  this  is  an  inconceivably 
small  sum. 

It  is  therefore  with  surprise  we  find  some  writers 
in  Europe  who  broadly  assert  that  the  ideas  enter 
tained  of  the  economy  of  the  government  of  the 
United  States  are  complete  delusions,  and  that  they 
are  founded  upon  an  entire  ignorance  of  the  sub- 


84 

ject.  Thus  the  author  of  an  article  in  the  Revue 
JBritannique,  speaking  of  the  supposed  "  cheap  gov 
ernment  of  the  United  States," — "C'est  la  une 
phrase  faite,  un  lieu  commun  de  notre  eloquence 
parlementaire,  et  qui,  comme  beaucoup  d'autres, 
repose  entierement  sur  une  erreur.  Ce  qui  est  fort 
etrange,  c'est  que  cette  phrase  a  ete  jetee  dans  la 
circulation  pardes  hommes  qui  ont  visite  les  Etats 
Urns,  et  qui  entretienment  avec  ceux  de  leurs 
citoyens  qui  viennent  en  Europe  des  relations  jour- 
nalieres.  Elle  n'en  annonce  pas  moins  une  igno 
rance  complete  de  ce  qui  s'y  passe ;  c'est  ce  qu'il 
nous  sera  facile  de  demontrer."* 

I  confess  that  it  does  not  appear  to  me  very  sin 
gular  that  this  assertion  of  the  cheapness  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States  should  be  made 
principally  by  those  who  have  had  opportunities  of 
personally  examining  the  nature  of  the  American 
system,  as  I  fully  participate  (after  passing  some 
years  in  the  United  States)  in  that  opinion.  If  the 
author  means  to  say  that  it  is  a  government  suited 
to  few  other  countries,  it  would  certainly  not  be  so 

*  «  This  has  become  a  set  phrase,  a  common-place  of  our  par 
liamentary  eloquence,  and  which,  like  many  others,  is  founded 
solely  on  error.  It  is  very  singular  that  this  phrase  has  been 
made  current  by  men  who  have  visited  the  United  States,  and 
who  are  in  the  habits  of  daily  intercourse  with  such  of  their  citi 
zens  as  come  to  Europe.  It  betrays,  nevertheless,  a  complete 
ignorance  of  what  is  passing  there,  which  it  will  not  be  difficult 
for  us  to  prove." 


85 

easy  to  contradict  him  :  but  as  to  its  comparative 
economy,  there  can  be  little  doubt  that  both 
theoretically  and  practically  it  is  the  cheapest 
government  that  could  be  established  in  a  country 
of  such  extent,  in  the  present  day.  The  Quarterly 
Reviewer,  however,  expresses  a  very  different  opin 
ion  (the  Revue  Britannique  coinciding  through 
out  with  that  journal) ;  and  Captain  Hall  points  out 
the  supposed  key  to  this  alleged  costliness  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  namely,  that  each 
state  having  a  separate  government  and  jurisdiction, 
we  are  misled  by  quoting  the  expenditure  of  the 
federal  government  alone  as  the  whole  burden  borne 
by  the  people  of  the  United  States  to  defray  the 
national  charges. 

It  is  quite  necessary  to  bear  in  mind  the  state- 
expenditures,  in  estimating  the  share  of  public 
charge  borne  by  each  individual  in  the  United  States, 
but  in  the  tables  appended  to  Captain  Hall's  Travels 
(Vol.  III.),  the  nature  of  these  expenses  is  com 
pletely  misunderstood,  as  they  are  carried  to  ac 
count  in  gross,  as  charges  directly  borne  by  the 
population. 

In  the  course  of  the  following  pages  the  state 
ments  published  in  the  Quarterly  Review,  Revue 
Britannique^  &c.  will  be  examined  in  some  detail, 
and  it  will  not  perhaps  be  difficult  to  show  whence  the 
errors  have  arisen  in  the  estimates  above  alluded  to. 


86 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Statements  of  Quarterly  Review  on  the  subject  of  United  States 
examined. — Supposed  insecurity  of  property. — Conservative 
elements. 

IN  an  article  entitled  "  progress  of  misgovernment," 
which  appeared  in  the  Quarterly  Review,*  a  sum 
mary  is  given  of  the  financial  arrangements  of  the 
United  States.  On  perusing  this  statement,  I  was 
surprised  at  the  result  which  the  reviewer  deduces 
from  his  calculations,  the  data  of  which  seem  to  be 
principally  taken  from  the  statistical  tables  ap 
pended  to  Captain  Basil  Hall's  Travels.  The  writer 
of  this  article  assumes,  that  it  would  be  a  great 
error  to  suppose  that  "  the  government  of  the  United 
States  is  economical,  and  that  it  is,  in  fact,  in  pro 
portion  to  its  population,  as  expensive  as  that  of 
Great  Britain,  or  more  so."  As  the  whole  article 
is  redolent  of  party  spirit,  and  evidently  written 
with  a  view  to  influence  public  opinion  on  sub- 

-1  • 

jects  connected  with  the  great  measure  of  reform, 
the  passages  in  question  should  not  perhaps  be  re 
garded  as  containing  positive  statistical  statements 

*  Vide  No.  XCII.  p.  594,  Jan.  1832. 


87  , 

relating  merely  to  the  American  financial  system, 
but  rather  as  the  special  pleading  of  a  counsel, 
whose  object  is  by  no  means  to  lay  the  whole  case 
clearly  and  fairly  before  the  public.  Perhaps  this 
may  be  thought  as  justifiable  in  political  as  in  legal 
arguments. 

The  mistatements  and  singular  inaccuracies 
contained  in  the  article  "Progress  of  Misgovern- 
ment"  on  the  subject  of  America,  are  doubtless 
not  the  result  of  a  wish  to  deceive  the  public  mind 
with  regard  to  the  real  position  of  that  country. 
The  whole  article  offers  internal  evidence  that  its 
author  is  personally  and  practically  unacquainted 
with  the  people  and  country  of  which  he  speaks, 
and  adds  another  to  the  thousand  and  one  instances 
of  the  most  erroneous  inferences  being  drawn  from 
data  depending  solely  on  hearsay  or  printed  infor 
mation,  particularly  where  a  favourite  theory  is  in 
view,  and  that  theory  founded,  of  course,  on  con 
viction,  but  also  turned  to  aid  the  arguments  of 
party,  with  the  unhesitating  vehemence  of  political 
opposition. 

With  somewhat  similar  zeal  for  the  dissemination 
of  their  own  principles,  and  a  corresponding  want 
of  practical  acquaintance  with  the  nature  of  Euro 
pean  governments,  I  have  heard  Americans  gravely 
wondering  at  the  blindness  of  the  English,  or  of 


88 

other  nations,  in  not  adopting  republican  institutions 
and  forms  of  government  in  all  their  extent,  and 
not  only  arguing  for  the  practicability  of  such 
adoption,  but  foretelling  its  speedy  accomplishment. 
It  is  true,  that  in  conversing  with  many  of  those 
who  have  visited  this  country,  and  even,  with  the 
better  informed  Americans,  who  never  had  any 
opportunities  of  judging  personally  of  the  state  of 
things  in  England,  I  have  found  them  as  well  aware 
of  the  utter  unfitness  and  impracticability  of  a 
republican  government  in  England  as  any  sane 
Englishman. 

If,  however,  the  article  in  question  be  not  put 
forward  as  an  ex  parte  statement,  but  as  expressing 
the  bond  fide  opinions  or  the  reviewer,  it  is  diffi 
cult  to  conceive  how  so  ingenious  a  writer  can  have 
imbibed  such  erroneous  impressions  as  his  state 
ments  are  calculated  to  convey ;  the  mystification 
must  be  laid  to  the  account  of  his  sources  of  infor 
mation,  the  writer  of  this  article  having  evidently 
never  been  in  the  United  States ;  this  appears  at 
once,  not  only  from  the  financial  expose  which  he 
gives,  but  more  particularly  from  the  preceding 
part  of  his  paper,  in  which  he  treats  incidentally 
of  the  stability  of  the  institutions  of  America,  and 
the  security  of  property  in  that  country.  After 
insinuating  that  passing  the  reform  bill  will  be  the 


89 

first  step  towards  attacking  "  property  itself  in  its 
details,  if  not  the  principle  of  property  in  England," 
he  instances  the  United  States  as  an  example  of 
the  insecurity  to  property  resulting  from  a  govern 
ment  supported  by  a  "numerical  majority" 

The  object  of  these  remarks  is  not  to  discuss  the 
merits  of  the  reform  bill ;  but  as  an  illustration  of 
any  direct  or  indirect  attack  upon  that  measure,  it 
seems  that  there  could  not  have  been  a  more  unfor 
tunate  argument  for  an  opponent  of  reform  than 
this  allusion  to  the  degree  of  stability  of  property 
in  the  United  States.  Americans,,  or  even  those 
who  have  passed  sufficient  time  in  the  United 
States  to  become  practically  acquainted*  with  the 
nature  and  working  of  its  institutions,  will  perhaps 
only  smile  at  the  predictions  of  a  "time  not  being 
far  distant  when  the  majority  shall  attack  the  cause 
of  property,  as  at  variance  with  their  own  interests," 
and  at  the  hints  about  a  sort  of  agrarian  law,  &c., 
which  appear  in  this  article.  But  the  extreme 
ignorance  that  in  fact  prevails  in  this  country  and 
in  Europe  generally  on  all  that  relates  to  the  inter 
nal  organization  of  government  and  society  in  the 
United  States,  is  such  as  to  give  some  currency  to 
opinions  and  prognostics  as  totally  unfounded  as 
these,  particularly  when  supported  by  such  an 
authority  as  that  of  the  Quarterly. 

M 


90 

It  will  be  my  endeavour  in  the  course  of  these 
remarks  to  point  out  the  errors  in  the  financial 
statements  of  the  Quarterly,  after  first  noticing  some 
of  the  preliminary  observations. 

There  is  no  country,  he  says,  where  "property 
will  be  so  entirely  and  immediately  at  the  mercy  of 
those  who  may  have,  or  fancy  they  have,  an  interest 
in  assailing  it,  as  soon  as  that  body  shall  be  suffi 
ciently  numerous  to  form  the  preponderating  class 
in  the  community. 

If  an  American  were  to  reply  to  these  remarks, 
I  could  suppose  him  doing  so  somewhat  in  the 
following  manner : 

Property  is  much  subdivided,  and  in  the  free 
hold  possession  of  an  immense  number  of  individu 
als  in  America;  the  moneyed  institutions, — banks, 
both  of  the  United  States  and  of  each  particular 
state, — canal  stock,  rail-roads,  public  or  state  under 
takings,  and  works  of  a  like  nature,  as  mining  asso 
ciations,  bridge  companies,  steam-boats,  &c.,  offer 
opportunities  for  even  the  smallest  capital  to  be 
advantageously  invested ;  so  that  the  Americans  of 
every  class,  profiting  by  these  institutions,  have 
almost  all  more  or  less  a  direct  or  prospective  inter 
est  in  upholding  the  present  system  of  their  coun 
try,  and  it  would,  in  truth,  be  difficult  to  find  the 


91 

"numerical  majority"  which  the  reviewer  antici 
pates,  opposed  to  the  principle  of  property. 

Besides,  the  Quarterly  subsequently  points  out 
"three  great  causes"  for  that  security  of  property 
which  has  hitherto  existed,  that  would  seem  to  place 
the  period  predicted  at  an  immense  distance,  viz. 
1st,  the  "inexhaustible  fund  of  unoccupied  land," 
preventing  the  pressure  of  want;  2d,  "the  federal 
mechanism  of  its  constitution,  and  the  strict  limita 
tion  of  the  powers  of  congress ;  and,  3d,  and  lastly, 
the  continually  recurring  interest  of  the  presidential 
and  subordinate  elections.  There  is  no  apparent 
reason  why  these  "  conservative  elements"  should 
not  have  their  effect  for  many  centuries  to  come. 
In  other  places  the  reviewer  finds  much  to  condemn 
in  the  two  latter  elements,  yet  allows  that  but  for 
them  "  the  constitution  of  the  United  States  could 
scarcely  have  existed  unharmed  a  year;"  i.  e.  that 
without  some  of  its  most  essential  features  it  would 
be  much  less  advantageous  than  it  is,  in  practice ; 
which  I  think  that  no  American  will  be  disposed 
to  contradict.  Indeed,  notwithstanding  the  mul 
titude  of  defects  which  the  Quarterly,  in  many 
successive  numbers  has  discovered  in  the  constitu 
tion  of  the  United  States,  not  only  as  an  object  of 
imitation  for  other  governments,  in  which  he  may 
be  right,  but  what  is  very  different,  as  per  se  bad 


92 

for  the  Americans,  he  makes  as  complete  an  amende 
as  any  zealous  republican  could  require,  in  these 
words: — "It  is  a  scheme"  (bad  as  it  is!)  "with 
which,  indeed,  the  Americans  may  well  be  con 
tented  ;  for  one  better  fitted  to  their  situation  it 
might  not  have  been  very  easy,  if  possible,  to  de 
vise."     Notwithstanding  this  high  eulogium,  it  is 
asserted  in  the  article  : — 1st,  that  the  law  is  opposed 
to  large  inheritances,  arid  that  laws  have  been  made 
with  a  view  to  encroach  on  the  rights  of  property ; 
2d,  a  general  approaching  division  of  property  is 
hinted  at;    3dly,  that    in  spite  of  its  advantages, 
the  government  is  barely  able  to  preserve  its  vital 
ity  against  the  destroying  power  (?)  within  itself. 
The  "  federal"  or  "  conservative."  power  is  almost 
extinct:    the  democratic  party,  i.  e.  the  numerical 
majority,  having  so  much  increased.     4thly,  that 
with  the  "  inexhaustible  fund  of  unoccupied  land," 
the  time  is  not  far  distant, — notwithstanding  the 
"conservative"  elements  enumerated  by  the  Quar« 
terly,  apparently  in  full  vigour,  and  likely  to  con 
tinue  so,  and  although  this  is  the  best  possible  sort 
of  government  for  the  United  States, — the  time  is 
not  far  distant  when  the  10,000,000,"  or  it  might 
at  once  be   13,000,000 — for  "no  opposition,"  he 
says  above,  "to  the  prevailing  system  now  exists,'5 
— will  exercise  despotic  tyranny.     It  is  difficult  to 


93 

say  over  whom,  as  the  "  single  despot/'  placed,  by 
the  reviewer,  in  contrast  with  the  millions,  exists 
but  as  a  figure  of  speech. 

An  American  might  fairly  be  justified  in  thus 
commenting  "upon  the  observations  in  the  Quar 
terly. 


94 


CHAPTER   IX. 

United  States  government  well  suited  to  the  American  people.— 
Testamentary  disposition  not  interfered  with  by  the  laws.— 
Division  of  property.— Conservative  principle  of  American  gov- 

.     ernment  resides  in  numerical  majority — Public  lands. 

BUT  the  reviewer  will  find  many  to  agree  with  him 
in  his  former  position,  viz.  "the  Americans  may 
well  he  content  with  their  form  of  government, 
in  conjunction  with  the  three  happy  circumstances" 
which  he  enumerates,  it  would  indeed  not  have 
been  possible  to  devise  one  better  adapted  to  their 
country ;  although  even  this  is  thought  by  him  to 
be  on  the  eve  of  dissolution.  The  objections  which 
neutralize  this  fair  assertion  require  some  examina 
tion. 

First,  the  law  imposes*  no  restrictions  on  the 
power  of  devising  property  by  testament.  A  man 
may  leave  all  to  his  eldest  son,  or  divide  it  as  he 
pleases,  reserving,  however,  the  widow's  dowry. 

The  law  does  not  interfere  with  the  possession 
or  employment  of  property  in  any  way :  the  late 
Stephen  Girard,f  a  merchant  and  banker  at  Phila- 

*  The  reviewer  possibly  thought  that  the  French  law  on  testa 
ments  was  modelled  upon  that  of  the  United  States. 

t  See  an  art.  in  the  New  Monthly  for  April  1832,  on  M.  Girard. 


95 

delphia,  is  a  striking  example  of  this.  He  died 
worth  at  least  one  million  and  a  half  or  two  mil 
lions  sterling*.  A  great  deal  of  property  in  houses 
and  land,  in  the  very  heart  of  Philadelphia,  be 
longed  to  him ;  and  I  recollect  an  immense  square, 
in  a  fine  situation  for  building,  in  that  city,  which  re 
mained  inclosed  within  high  paling,  unoccupied  and 
unbuilt  upon,  and  applied  to  no  useful  purpose  for 
years,  and  so  remaining,  I  believe,  until  his  death,  a 
few  months  ago,  from  some  whim  of  its  proprietor, 
although  "  there  chanced  to  be  a  great  many  neigh 
bours  around  him  to  whom  the  possession  of  the  land 
would  have  been  convenient."  I  do  not  instance  this 
as  a  solitary  case,  and  might  adduce!  others  without 
end  to  prove  the  complete  power  of  accumulation 
and  disposal  of  property  in  the  hands  of  any  individ 
ual  ;  but  the  example  of  Girard  is  the  more  apposite,  as 
he  was  neither  a  popular  man  in  manners  or  habitsj, 

*  Report  says  near  fifteen  millions  of  dollars,  or  upwards  of 
three  millions  sterling. 

f  At  New  York  there  is  a  gentleman  supposed  to  be  of  equal 
wealth  with  the  late  Girard  (also  acquired  solely  by  his  own  ex 
ertions),  although  not  of  the  same  singular  habits.  It  would  be 
a  violation  of  the  consideration  due  to  private  life  to  say  more 
than  that  I  allude  to  Mr  J.  Astor,  known  as  the  founder  of  a  col 
ony  on  the  Colombia  river. 

J  Without  being  miserly,  he  was  very  simple  and  economical 
in  his  habits.  I  have  heard,  that  when  he  arrived  in  Philadelphia 
from  France,  he  was  in  such  humble  circumstances  that  he  ob 
tained  a  living  by  selling  sand  and  sawing  wood  in  the  streets ; 


96 

nor  politically  of  the  slightest  weight  or  impor 
tance,  notwithstanding  his  immense  wealth.' 

It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  principles  and 
habits  of  the  people  generally  are  opposed  to  leav 
ing  the  bulk  of  their  fortune  to  the  eldest,  or  to 
any  one  of  their  children  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
others ;  and  although  there  are  exceptions,  yet  the 
rule  in  practice  in  the  United  States  is  to  divide 
equally  or  nearly  so,  the  property  among  all  the 
sons  and  daughters  ;  this  is  from  choice  and  feeling 
the  usage  and  not  by  law^  excepting  when  a  man 
dies  intestate.  But  it  must  be  remembered,  that 
in  a  republic,  without  hereditary  titles  or  honours 
to  support,  and  with  a  wide  and  fair  field  for  the 
exertion  of  talent  and  enterprise,  this  usage  has  not 
the  inconvenience  to  individuals  that  Europeans  gen 
erally  may  suppose,  nor  is  it  liable  to  many  of  the 
practical  objections  which  exist  to  its  adoption  in 
countries  like  ours. 

Secondly,  that  an  agrarian  law,  or  any  thing  ap 
proaching  to  it,  is  likely  to  become  practicable  or 
popular  in  the  United  States,  or  that  it  should  even 
be  proposed,  is  so  extremely  improbable,  that  one 
is  inclined  to  suspect  that  the  allusion  to  it  is  not 

at  the  time  he  was  between  thirty  and  forty  years  of  age.  He 
used  to  affirm  that  the  great  difficulty  in  life  is  to  amass  the  first 
forty  dollars;  that  afterwards,  a  man,  who  is  not  a  fool,  can  al 
ways  grow  rich.  Some  very  munificent  acts  of  his  are  on  record. 


_ 


97 

made  seriously.  Those  alone  who  are  totally  un 
acquainted  with  the  state  of  the  American  com 
munity  could  for  a  moment  entertain  an  idea  of 
its  possibility,  and  they  have  only  to  reflect  upon  a 
few  circumstances  to  convince  themselves  of  its 
utter  want  of  foundation.  The  sub-division  of  old, 
and  appropriation  of  new  property,*  going  on  (with 
few  exceptions)  almost paripassu  with  the  increase 
of  population,  i.  e.  in  the  same  relative  proportion, 
extends  its  effects  throughout  the  union.  Also  it 
should  be  remembered  (and  this  applies  to  the 
third  objection,  viz.  "  that  the  c  vitality'  of  the  actual 
government  of  the  United  States  can  scarcely  be 
preserved  by  the  'federal  or  conservative'  party, 
now  '  all  but  extinct,'  against  the  prevailing  system, 
or  democracy"},  the  interests  of  the  numerical  ma 
jority  are  on  the  side  of  the  prevailing  system,  and 
not  opposed  to  its  'vitality.'  The  name  or  watch 
word  of  a  party  may  be  '  conservative,'  4  federal,' 
or  tory,  it  matters  little  as  a  distinctive  appellation ; 
but  if  we  look  to  the  meaning  of  words,  it  may  not 
be  difficult  to  show  that  in  a  republic,  at  least  in 

He  was,  although  uneducated,  a  man  of  strong  natural  good  sense 
and  ability,  like  most  of  those  men  who  have  amassed  great  wealth 
from  low  beginnings. 

*  B  j  this  is  meant,  the  property  or  moneyed  associations  in  the 
older  states  in  contra-distinction  to  that  in  the  recently  settled 
country. 

N 


98 

such  a  government  as  that  of  the  United  States,  the 
'conservative'  principle  is  to  be  found  on  the  pop 
ular  side ;  it  resides  with  the  '  numerical  majority,' 
opposed  alike  to  aristocratic,  despotic,  or  military 
governments,  as  to  anarchy  or  disorder ;  and  that 
country  owes  its  strength,  the  vigour  and  the  effi 
ciency  of  its  administration,  c  its  vitality,'  precisely 
to  this  popular  principle. 

It  might,  on  the.  other  hand,  not  be  difficult  to 
maintain  in  arguing  on  the  affairs  of  England,  that 
this  "  conservative"  principle  may  be  found  to  re 
side  in  a  very  different  party:  in  a  monarchy,  and 
where  political  power  is  vested  exclusively  in  the 
aristocratic  or  moneyed  interests,  the  arguments  on 
this  subject  are  founded  on  a  totally  different  basis. 
But  the  reasoning  of  the  "  Quarterly"  is  on  the 
system  of  the  United  States,  to  which  its  applica 
bility  appears  more  than  doubtful. 

It  has  been  asserted  in  parliament,  and  elsewhere, 
as  well  as  in  the  "  Quarterly,"  that  a  "  conservative" 
principle,  analogous  to  that  which  is  the  supposed 
safeguard  of  our  constitution,  has  been  found  in  that 
provision*  of  the  American  constitution,  in  virtue 

*  ARTICLE  V.  OF  CONSTITUTION  OF  UNITED  STATES. 

"  The  congress,  whenever  two-thirds  of  both  houses  shall  deem 
it  necessary,  shall  propose  amendments  to  this  constitution ;  or, 
on  the  application  of  the  legislatures  of  two-thirds  of  the  several 


99 

of  which  no  change  is  to  be  effected  in  it  but  by  a 
concurrence  of  two-thirds  of  all  the  legislative  bodies 
of  the  union  in  demanding  such  change,  and  the 
consent  of  three-fourths  to  its  ratification  ;  and  also  > 
in  the  rule,  by  which,  in  certain  cases,  a  majority 
of  two-thirds  of  the  senate  of  the  United  States  is 
required  for  the  adoption  of  measures  of  political 
importance.  But  I  think  on  examination  that  this 
provision  will  be  found  to  contain  a  few  elements 
in  common  with  the  principle  that  is  generally  ad 
vocated  by  the  "  Quarterly"  as  being  "  conservative." 
At  first  sight  it  certainly  appears  that  when  a  ma 
jority,  wanting  but  one  or  two  votes  of  the  requisite 
two-thirds,  is  forced  to  yield  to  the  wishes  of  a 
smaller  party  in  the  nation  or  senate,  a  modificat  ion 
of  the  oligarchical  principle  is  perceptible ;  the  inr- 
nority,  in  fact,  carrying  their  point.  But  let  a 
question  of  great  public  interest  arise,  a  question 
which  awakens  the  attention,  and  calls  forth  the 
energies  of  the  mass  of  the  people  in  its  support, 
and,  in  a  government  constituted  like  that  of  Amer 
ica,  it  will  be  found  that  the  necessary  majorities 
will  never  be  wanting. 

states,  shall  call  a  convention  for  proposing  amendments,  which, 
in  either  case,  shall  be  valid  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  part 
of  this  constitution,  when  ratified  by  the  legislatures  of  three- 
fourths  of  the  several  states,  or  by  conventions  in  three-fourths 
thereof,  as  the  one  or  the  other  mode  of  ratification  may  be  pro 
posed  by  the  congress,"  &c.  &c. 


100 

It  may  be  a  conservative  principle,  but  it  is  one 
that  in  effect  has  its  foundation  in  the  necessity  of 
placing  beyond  a  doubt  the  general  assent  to  any 
measure  of  vital  importance  by  the  great  prepon 
derance  required,  and  thus  virtually  amounts  to  an 
extension  of  the  principle  of  governing  in  accordance 
o  the  will  of  the  "numerical  majority''' 

Fourthly.     The  rapid  diminution  of  the  public 
lands  will,  in  the  course  of  time,  doubtless  alter 
materially  the  moral  and  political  aspect  of  America. 
Still  the  closing  up  of  this  "  safety-valve,"  as  it  has 
been  called,  of  the  constitution  of  the  United  States 
must,  in  all  human  probability,  be  remote.     The 
Quarterly  is  almost  justified  in  calling  this  an  "  in- 
exl  laustible  fund."     The  government  of  the  United 
S>tates  possesses,  in  round  numbers,  one  thousand 
millions  of  acres  of  unoccupied  land ;  and,  making 
ample  allowance  for  those  parts  which  are  unfruit 
ful  or  inconvertible  to  useful  purposes,  it  will  be 
probably  long  before  its  population  becomes  incon 
veniently  crowded. 

Up  to  the  present  time,  twenty  millions  of  acres 
have  been  sold ;  about  the  same  number  has  been 
granted  by  congress  for  education,  internal  improve 
ment,  &c. ;  and  about  eighty  millions  are  in  the 
market,  i.  e.  surveyed,  valued,  &c.  Some  estimate 
may  be  formed,  from  the  amount  of  appropriation 


101 

of  public  lands  during  more  than  half  a  century, 
of  the  ratio  which  these  available  resources  bear  to 
the  wants  of  an  increasing  population.  At  the 
rate  of  one  million  of  acres  every  year,  there  will 
be,  allowing  for  a  progressively  increasing  demand, 
ample  space  and  "verge  enough"  for  speculation  on 
the  durability  of  American  institutions,  in  so  far  as 
they  depend  upon  this  resource.* 

*  For  some  account  of  the  public  lands,  see  Chap.  XVI. 


102 


CHAPTER  X. 

Revue  Britannique  on  Finances  of  the  United  States. — Letters 
of  General  Bernard  and  Mr  F.  Cooper,  published  by  General 
Lafayette,  containing  answers  to  the  statements  of  Revue 
Britannique. 

IN  the  month  of  June  1831,  there  appeared  an 
article  in  the  Revue  Britannique  published  in  Paris, 
on  the  finances  of  France  and  the  United  States,  in 
which  the  expenses  of  the  French  and  American 
governments  were  compared,  in  a  similar  spirit 
to  that  of  the  Quarterly.  The  result  of  this  com 
parison  was  asserted  to  be  that,  notwithstanding  the 
supposed  economy  of  the  American  republic,  its  ex 
penses  exceeded,  proportionately  to  its  population, 
those  of  the  French  monarchy.  As  this  unexpected 
statement  was  made  public  at  a  moment  when  the 
French  budget  was  under  discussion  in  the  Cham 
ber  of  Deputies,  and  clearly  with  a  view  to  in 
fluence  public  opinion  on  so  important  a  subject,  it 
attracted  much  attention.  General  Lafayette,  bet 
ter  acquainted  with  the  real  nature  of  the  American 
government  than  any  of  his  colleagues,  and  natu 
rally  more  desirous,  both  on  public  grounds  and  from 
private  feeling,  of  placing  the  subject  in  its  true 


103 

light  than  perhaps  any  of  his  countrymen,  would 
have  doubtless  been  well  qualified  to  reply  to  the 
assertions  of  the  Revue  Britannique.  He  prefer 
red,  however,  addressing  two  of  his  friends,  in  order 
to  obtain  such  a  statement  as  their  intimate  ac 
quaintance  with  the  financial  details  of  the  United 
States,  and  recent  personal  observation  of  them, 
would  enable  them  at  once  to  afford. 

He  thus  elicited  a  counter-statement  from  two 
gentlemen,  whose  opportunities  for  forming  a  cor 
rect  judgment  on  the  statistics  of  the  United  States 
are  undoubted,  and  whose  competency  in  every 
sense,  to  furnish  accurate  information,  few  will  be 
inclined  to  dispute.  Mr  F.  Cooper,  of  New  York, 
well  known  as  the  author  of  several  excellent 
works,  wrote  a  letter,  addressed  to  General  Lafay 
ette,  in  answer  to  the  statements  of  the  Revue 
Britannique ;  and  General  Bernard,  formerly  Napo 
leon's  confidential  aide-de-camp  (and  subsequently 
several  years  in  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
until  the  revolution  of  1830  afforded  him  an  op 
portunity  of  returning  to  his  native  country,  without 
compromising  either  the  integrity  of  his  principles, 
or  the  delicacy  of  his  feelings),  also  answered  Gen 
eral  Lafayette's  appeal  by  an  able  comparative 
statement  on  the  budgets  and  financial  arrangements 
of  the  American  and  French  governments. 


104 

By  taking  the  statements  of  these  gentlemen  as 
a  guide,  on  the  subject  of  the  French  national  ex 
penditure  as  compared  with  that  of  the  United 
States,  we  also  obtain  data  which  much  assist  us  in 
estimating  their  relative  proportion  to  the  expenses 
of  our  own  government. 

It  is  somewhat  remarkable  that  both  the  writer 
in  the  Revue  Britannique  and  the  author  of  the 
article,  "Progress of  Misgovernment,"  in  the  Quar 
terly,  take  very  nearly  the  same  views  of  the  finan 
cial  and  political  systems  of  the  United  States,  and 
(although  differing  in  some  of  their  details,  particu 
larly  in  their  mode  of  instituting  their  comparisons) 
apparently  with  similar  party  views.  In  short, 
they  wish  to  give  such  a  description  of  what  they, 
doubtless,  conceive  to  be  the  real  expenses  of  a 
popular  government,  as  shall  prove  that  the  ideas 
generally  entertained  of  their  practical  economy  are 
little  better  than  popular  errors. 

In  effect,  however,  it  appears,  upon  an  examina 
tion  of  facts  and  details  (the  only  way  in  statistical 
matters  to  get  at  a  correct  result),  that  it  would 
be  the  grossest  self-delusion  to  rely  upon  the  con 
gratulatory  assurances  of  the  Quarterly  and  of  the 
Revue  Britannique,  as  to  the  comparative  economy 
of  the  governments  of  America  and  those  of  Eng 
land  and  France.  Unfortunately,  neither  theory 


105 

nor  practice,  founded  upon  such  erroneous  data, 
can  lead  to  good  results,  whether  in  peace  or  war, 
whether  in  a  friendly  or  hostile  feeling,  as  reliance 
upon  them  produces  but  a  false  estimate  of  the  re 
sources  and  efficiency  of  a  powerful  and  rapidly 
increasing  state.  Relations  with  foreign  govern 
ments  are  likely  to  be  most  judiciously  regulated 
when  their  real  relative  positions,  particularly  on 
so  vitally  important  a  subject  as  finance,  are  well 
understood ;  at  least  it  appears  to  me  that  no  useful 
purpose  can  be  served  by  misapprehension  on  this 
point,  still  less  by  any  attempt  to  mystify  the  sub 
ject. 

The  writer  of  the  article  in  the  Revue  Britan- 
nique,  to  which  I  have  alluded,  has  ventured  boldly 
to  institute  a  comparison  generally  between  the 
aggregate  burdens  borne  by  the  French  nation  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  the  state,  and  those  which 
Americans  support  for  a  similar  purpose :  he  even 
includes  in  his  comparative  estimate  the  military 
and  naval  establishments,  foreign  relations,  and,  in 
a  word,  all  the  items  of  the  national  budgets  of 
the  two  countries. 

He  calculates  that  the  annual  sum  of  the  whole 
of  the  public  charges  paid  by  each  inhabitant  of  the 
United  States  is  thirty-five  francs,  while  in  France 
it  is  but  thirty-one  francs. 
o 


106 

The  Quarterly  Review  does  not  attempt  a  gen 
eral  comparison  between  the  expenses  of  Great 
Britain  and  those  of  the  United  States ;  but  taking 
certain  items  of  the  respective  national  expenditures, 
comes  to  a  prospective  conclusion,  that  if  the  expen 
ditures  are  not  quite  equal  at  present,  yet  when 
the  population  of  the  United  States  shall  equal  that 
of  Great  Britain,  these  items,  by  a  pro  rato  increase, 
will,  if  parliamentary  pensions  be  omitted,  exceed 
the  equivalent  expenses  in  this  country  by  57,378/., 
and  with  this  item,  only  fall  short  of  our  expendi 
ture  by  166,365/.  He  proceeds  also  to  estimate 
the  expenses  of  the  church  in  the  two  countries, 
and  the  result  is,  according  to  him,  equally  favour 
able  to  the  economy  of  our  ecclesiastical  establish 
ment,  considered  as  an  item  of  state  expenditure. 
With  regard  to  the  administration  of  justice,  he 
gives  no  positive  estimate,  but  affirms,  that  there  is 
every  reason  to  believe  that  the  "judiciary"  expen 
diture  of  America  exceeds  that  of  England. 

Captain  B.  Hall  (from  whose  statistical  tables, 
at  the  end  of  the  third  volume  of  his  Travels  in 
the  United  States,  the  Quarterly  Reviewer  seems 
to  have  taken  almost  all  his  positive  information) 
makes  the  total  aggregate  amount  of  charge  to  each 
individual  in  the  United  States  on  an  average  of 
three  years,  1825,  6,  7,  to  be  12s.  4f  d.,  in  which 


107 

he  does  not  include  the  expense  of  religious  egtab- 
lishments. 

On  the  other  hand.  General  Bernard,  after  going 
over  the  statement  of  the  Revue  Britannique  in 
some  detail,  comes  to  a  conclusion  that  the  total 
amount  of  the  annual  public  expense  to  each  indi 
vidual  in  the  United  States  (leaving  out  the  eccle 
siastical  expenses,  and  some  incidental  items)  is 
1 1  francs  47  centimes,  while  that  of  each  French 
inhabitant  is  28  francs  12  centimes. 

Mr  Cooper,  who  premises  that  he  rather  exagge 
rates  than  diminishes  the  sum  in  his  calculations, 
makes  the  amount  of  annual  charge  paid  by  each 
citizen  of  the  United  States  14  francs  5  centimes, 
including  support  of  clergy,  poor,  &c. 

It  should  be  mentioned  that  the  Revue  makes 
out  its  calculations  for  the  year  1829  5  that  General 
Bernard  and  Mr  Cooper  take  1830 — and  that  the 
latter  gentleman  speaks  only  of  the  citizen  of  New 
York,  where,  however,  the  state  expenditure  is 
among  the  highest  in  the  whole  union,  and  the  cler 
ical  expenses  probably  quite  the  largest.  Captain 
B.  Hall's  estimate,  as  I  before  mentioned,  is  on  an 
average  of  three  years,  1825, 6, 7,  and  the  Quarterly 
founds  its  calculations  principally  upon  the  data  of 
Captain  Hall. 

In  endeavouring  to  show  how  such  very  differ- 


108 


ent,  results  are  brought  about  by  these  writers,  I 
shall  have  occasion  to  offer  some  remarks,  which 
(particularly  those  that  are  suggested  by  the  letters 
of  General  Bernard  and  Mr  Cooper)  will,  I  trust, 
assist  the  reader  to  form  a  judgment  on  the  real 
nature  of  the  statistics  of  the  United  States. 


"X^f^***^/ 

109 

••'•"  •'•'''' ^--\^. 

.,^1. 

CHAPTER  XI. 


General  Bernard's  remarks. — Department  of  state  and  foreign 
affairs. — War  department. — Treasury  department. — Adminis 
tration  centrale,  &c. — State  expenses. — Tolls  and  public  roads. 
— Clergy. — Militia. — Summary. — Mean  expense  to  each  indi 
vidual  in  France  and  America  of  public  charges. — Extract  from 
General  Bernard's  letter- 

GENERAL  BERNARD  observes  with  great  truth,  that 
in  comparing  the  public  expenditure  of  two  such 
countries  as  France  and  the  American  union,  placed 
under  such  essentially  different  circumstances,  not 
only  is  industrious  research  necessary,  but  a  perfect 
knowledge  of  their  respective  financial  systems. 
But  to  expose  the  inaccuracy  and  exaggeration  of 
the  Eevue  Britannique,  he  thinks  it  unnecessary  to 
do  more  than  to  lay  before  his  readers  some  posi 
tive  data,  which  he  does  in  the  form  of  an  analysis 
of  the  French  and  American*  budgets  in  parallel 
columns,  with  the  corresponding  items  opposed  to 
each  other,  so  as  to  enable  the  reader  at  a  glance 
to  compare  the  amounts  either  in  detail  or  other 
wise.  His  valuation  of  the  dollar  is  at  5  francs 
25  centimes. 

*  Vide  Appendix. 


110 

In  examining  the  different  items  of  the  United 
States'  budget,  given  by  the  general,  it  will  be  per 
ceived  that  what  is  called  the  department  of  state 
corresponds  to  three  departments  of  the  French  ad 
ministration,  viz.  Les  Ministeres  des  Affaires  Etran- 
geres,  de  la  Justice,  et  de  Vlnterieur;  and  that  a  de 
duction  is  made  from  the  latter  of  9 1 ,5 1 3,5 1 7  francs, 
appropriated  to  the  ponts  et  chausees,  mines,  lignes, 
telegraphiques,  and  public  works,  &c. 

It  must  also  be  observed  that  the  war  department 
of  the  United  States  includes  some  public  works, 
internal  improvement,  and  Indian  affairs,  which, 
being  taken  out  of  the  calculation,  make  the  rela 
tive  expenses 

Ministere  de  la  Guerre  .     .   187,200,000  fr. 
War  department  .     .     .     .      20,929,372  fr.  85  c. 

In  the  treasury  department  he  includes  the  pen 
sions  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  revolution, 
and  in  the  Ministere  de  la  Finance,  the  pension  list 
of  France. 

The  cost  of  the  different  public  offices  taken 
together  (I' administration  centraty,  compared  with 
the  whole  budget,  is  in  France  1-5  9th,  or  about  1 
and  7-10ths  per  cent;  in  the  United  States  l-53d, 
or  about  1  and  3-10ths  per  cent,  which  difference 
may  be  regarded  as  null,  by  bearing  in  mind  that 
the  expenses  of  this  central  administration  must 


Ill 

diminish  in  its  ratio  to  the  whole  budget,  in  propor 
tion  as  the  budget  itself  is  augmented. 

With  regard  to  the  post-office  of  the  United 
States,  it  must  be  observed  that  this  is  not  a  branch 
of  public  revenue — it  is  so  managed  as  to  cover  its 
expenses — excepting  those  of  the  general  post-of 
fice  establishment,  clerks,  &c.,  i.  e.  /' administration 
centrale,  which  is  paid  by  the  treasury.  These  ex 
penses  amount  to  l-30th  part  of  the  total  expense. 
In  France  they  are  much  higher. 

The  expense  of  collecting  the  revenue,  customs, 
&c.  of  France  is  about  1 1  per  cent,  that  of  the 
United  States  3  and  4-10ths  per  cent;  by  taking 
together  the  expenses  of  administration,  and  those 
of  collection  of  the  revenue,  compared  with  the 
whole  budgets,  wre  get  for 

France     ....  12  and  7-1  Oths  per  cent. 
United  States     .     .  5  and  3-1  Oths  per  cent. 

Before  General  Bernard  proceeds  to  examine  in 
detail  the  calculations  by  which  the  author  of  the 
article  in  the  Revue  Britannique  brings  about  a  re 
sult  so  extraordinary  in  his  comparative  estimate  of 
the  burdens  borne  by  an  inhabitant  of  France  and 
an  American,  viz.  that  the  public  charge  of  the 

United  States  is,  per  head      .     .     35  francs. 
And  in  France     • 31  do. 

he  makes  some  general  remarks,  and  says,  with 
apparent  justice,  that  there  must  be  a  great  bias  in 


112 

the  judgment  of  any  one  who  could  suppose  that 
under  the  numerous  favourable  circumstances  upon 
which  he  touches,  as  the  geographical  position  of 
the  United  States,  the  commercial  prosperity,  small 
standing  army,  varied  products,  non-interference 
in  the  wars  which  have  cost  so  much  to  other 
countries,  and  particularly,  that  with  the  form  of 
its  government  (which  he  characterises  as  "les 
belles  institutions  politiques  qui  regissent  ce  grand 
pays"),  it  is  difficult  to  understand  how  any  impartial 
person  could  come  to  this  extravagant  conclusion. 
"  Pour  arriver  a  cet  etrange  resultat"  the  author 
in  the  Revue  asserts  that  the  expenses  of  the  dif 
ferent  state  legislatures  taken  en  masse  are  equal  to 
the  federal  budget.  Thus : 

Francs. 

Federal  budget         .  ...  131,000,000 

States  (according  to  the  Revue  Britannique)          131,000,000 
Tolls,  bridges,  &c.  10,000,000 

Clergy  ...  .     30,000,000 

Militia  in  time  of  peace         .  .  50,000,000 

Total  352,000,000 


He  divides  this  sum  by  what  he  supposes  to  be 
the  amount  of  the  population  of  1830,  i.  e. 
11,000,000,  and  thus  obtains  as  the  annual  ex 
pense  for  each  individual  thirty-five  francs. 

The  smallest  error  in  this  calculation  is  in  the 


113 

amount  of  population  for  1830.  The  census 
for  which  was,  according  to  General  Bernard? 
12,856,497.  This, allowing  the  above  calculations 
of  the  author,  would  give  twenty-seven  francs 
thirty  centimes,  instead  of  thirty-five  francs.  The 
general  points  out  the  sources  of  the  extraordinary 
errors  in  the  calculations  of  the  reviewer,  and 
makes  many  very  judicious  remarks,  which,  how 
ever,  as  being  chiefly  made  with  a  view  to  compar 
ing  the  statistics  of  France  with  those  of  the  United 
States,  I  shall  only  succinctly  notice ;  and  all  ob 
servations  on  similar  mistakes  that  have  been  made 
by  the  Quarterly  and  Captain  Hall,  shall  be  reserved 
until  I  come  to  examine  their  respective  statements. 

First,  The  state  expenses  are  made  by  the  Revue 
Britannique  to  amount  to  131,000,000  francs,  in 
stead  of  which  the  general,  by  a  calculation  which 
is  noticed  in  another  chapter,  produces  16,970,576 
francs  as  the  maximum  of  the  aggregate  state  ex 
penses  of  the  union.  Certainly  a  most  remarkable 
difference. 

Secondly,  With  respect  to  the  tolls  and  turn 
pikes,  this  item  might  be  fairly  taken  into  consi 
deration  in  a  comparative  estimate  of  the  general 
expenditure  of  France  and  the  United  States,  inas 
much  as,  there  being  no  turnpikes  in  the  former 
country,  all  the  expense  of  making  and  repairing 


114 

roads,  &c.  being  included  in  the  ponts  et  chausses, 
travaux  publics,  &c.,  while  no  corresponding  item  is 
to  be  found  in  the  American  budget. 

Under  this  head.  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States  are  on  an  equal  footing  ;  as  the  expenses  of 
the  roads  are  defrayed  by  turnpikes  in  the  same 
manner  in  both  countries;  although  from  the  much 
greater  extent  of  steam  navigation  in  America,  less 
proportionately  is  paid  by  the  inhabitants  for  the 
maintenance  of  roads  in  many  states.  In  France 
it  might  also  be  remarked,  that  there  are  many 
bridges  where  tolls  are  paid,  several  in  Paris ;  and 
that  after  all,  the  expense  must  be  defrayed  by  the 
community,  whether  by  a  general  impost,  as  in 
France,  or  a  mere  local  tax,  as  by  turnpikes  and 
tolls.  The  difference  is  in  the  mode  of  collection, 
and  the  difficulty  of  course  much  greater  in  ascer 
taining  the  total  amount  where  the  latter  mode  is 
in  use. 

The  whole  extent  of  road  on  which  a  mail  runs 
in  the  United  States  is  computed,  by  General  Ber 
nard,  at  41,225*  leagues,  of  25  to  a  degree.  The 
tolls  are  generally  high,  both  on  roads  and  bridges, 
and  this  is  the  natural  result  of  their  having  to  ex 
tend  over  an  immense  territory  with  a  compara- 

*  According  to  another  more  recent  calculation,  I  find  the  dis 
tance  run  by  mails  to  be  about  115,176  miles  English. 


115 

lively  small  population ;  the  wages  of  labour  being 
at  the  same  time  very  high. 

In  general  terms  General  Bernard  calculates  that 
out  of  the  whole  number  of  leagues  (41,225)  of 
mail  road  in  the  United  States,  about  4000  are  sub 
ject  to  toll.  Those  upon  which  there  are  turnpikes 
are  generally  better  kept  in  order  than  the  other ; 
and  some  idea  of  the  cost  of  their  construction,  &c. 
may  be  formed  by  the  circumstance,  that  although 
the  tolls  are  very  high,  yet  they  rarely  bring  more 
than  4  per  cent,  and  often  much  less,  on  the  cost 
of  making. 

But  these  tolls  being  generally  for  the  profit  of 
private  undertakings  or  companies,  and  constructed 
rather  with  a  view  to  increase  the  value  of  land  in 
particular  districts,  and  for  the  advantage  of  com 
mercial  undertakings,  than  with  a  view  to  a  pro 
fitable  direct  investment  of  money, — are  no  more 
looked  upon  in  America  as  public  charges  than  the 
canal  tolls,  ferries,  bridges,  &c.  are  in  France  and 
England.  Besides  which,  sometimes  the  general 
government,  as  well  as  particular  states,  apply  large 
sums  to  the  construction  and  repairs  of  public  roads, 
and  carry  the  items  to  the  federal  or  state  budgets. 

Thirdly,  With  regard  to  the  clergy,  General 
Bernard  professes  a  complete  disability  to  make 
any  calculation,  or  comparison  as  to  the  annual 


116 

expenses  borne  by  the  population  of  the  United 
States.  As  it  forms  no  part  of  the  national  or  state 
expenditure,  but  each  religious  community  sup 
porting  its  own  clergyman,  the  same  difficulty  exists 
as  would  be  found  in  ascertaining  the  amount  of 
the  incidental  emoluments  of  the  clergy  in  France, 
beyond  what  is  appropriated  to  them  in  the  budget, 
"  s'il  s'agissait  d'ajouter  le  casuel  aux  emolumens 
portes  au  budget  de  Petal"  He,  therefore,  alto 
gether  avoids  entering  on  the  subject,  as  not  think 
ing  himself  competent  to  form  any  correct  estimate 
upon  it,  and  leaves  out  the  ecclesiastical  expenses 
of  both  countries  in  his  calculations. 

Fourthly,  He  proceeds  to  examine  the  militia 
estimates,  and  on  all  subjects  connected  with  the 
military  organization  of  America,  there  can  be  no 
better  authority  than  General  Bernard.  By  certain 
hypotheses  and  calculations,  which  however  are 
very  erroneous,  the  Revue  Britannique  values  at 
fifty  millions  of  francs  the  expense  of  the  militia 
service  of  the  United  States,  and  then  adds  this 
enormous  over-charge  to  the  budgets  of  the  union 
and  of  the  states ;  but  with  singular  inconsistency, 
or  inadvertency,  forgets  to  add  the  analogous  ex 
pense  in  the  French  budget,  viz.  that  of  the  national 
guards.  Indeed,  nothing  but  errors  of  this  magni 
tude  could  have  produced  so  false  a  conclusion  as 


117 

that  while  a  Frenchman  pays  but  thirty-one  francs 
annually  to  the  expenses  of  the  state,  an  American 
pays  thirty-five. 

The  organization  of  the  American  militia  is  pre 
cisely  the  same  as  that  of  the  national  guards  in 
France.  They  have  four  reviews  at  most,  annually, 
and  no  other  regular  military  service,  the  circum 
stances  of  the  country  not  requiring  more.  In  case 
of  invasion,  the  militia  is  no  longer  /oca/,  but  it  is, 
like  the  garde  national^  mobilisee.  But  the  regu 
lar  troops  are  alone  subject  to  be  sent  beyond  the 
territory  of  their  own  country.  The  system  is 
identically  the  same  as  that  of  France. 

Finally,  He  produces  his  statement  of  the  ex 
penses. — In  the  United  States, 

Francs.         c. 

Federal  budget  (including  public  debt)         .       130,431,475  80 
State  budget  (borne  by  the  tax-payers)  .         16,970,576  00 

Total         .        147,402,051  80 

Dividing  the  sum  by  12,856,479  (the  popula 
tion)  he  gets  for  the  mean  amount  paid  by  each 
American,  of  public  charge  of  every  description, 
11  francs  47c. 

On  the  other  hand,  deducting  from  the  French 
budget, 

Francs. 

1.  The  ecclesiastical  expenses         .  .  .     35,921,500 

2.  Reimbursements  and  compensations  which  do  not 

strictly  form  part  of  the  public  charge  .    41,939,397 


118 

there  remains  a  sum  of  900,074,432  francs,  which 
divided  by  32,000,000  (population  of  France)  gives 
as  the  amount  paid  by  each  inhabitant  in  France, 
the  above  mentioned  expenses  excepted,  28  fr.  12  c. 
But  if  we  take  away  that  which  goes  towards  the 
public  debts,  we  find  that  the  American  pays  an 
nually  but  6  fr.  6  c.,  while  the  Frenchman  pays  20  fr. 
37c.  for  the  current  expenses  of  the  government. 
The  general  then  makes  some  prospective  esti 
mates  of  the  future  financial  arrangements  of  the 
United  States  (comparing  them  with  those  of 
France),  which  it  is  not  now  necessary  to  detail. 
But  to  show  the  light  in  which  a  man  of  great  in 
telligence,  a  soldier  and  a  gentleman,  in  every  way 
distinguished  and  estimable,  considers  the  American 
union,  after  having  passed  many  years  in  the  coun 
try,  and  with  the  best  opportunities  of  observing 
its  institutions  narrowly,  I  shall  give  an  extract 
from  his  letter  to  General  Lafayette.  The  quiet, 
reasonable,  and  argumentative  tone  of  General  Ber 
nard  will  contrast  strongly  with  the  intemperate 
vituperation  of  writers,  whose  favourite  theories 
and  predictions  on  the  subject  of  the  United  States, 
not  having  been  as  yet  verified,  continue  to  repeat 
statements  to  which  every  succeeding  year  brings 
additional  contradictions,  and  the  fallacy  of  which 
becomes  evident  upon  impartial  examination. 


119 

General  Bernard  thus   concludes  his  letter  to 
General  Lafayette: — "But,  general,  while  we  con 
tinue  to  admire  the  excellent  political  institutions 
of  the  American  union,  and  the  remarkably  enter 
prising  spirit  of  its  citizens,  we  must  acknowledge 
that  other  causes,  quite  as  powerful,  have  at  the 
same  time  singularly  contributed  to  the  astonishing 
prosperity  of  this  growing  empire.    Situated,  it  may 
be  said  insulated,  on  another  continent,  separated 
from  ours  by  the  ocean,  it  is  in  its  power  to  remain 
uninfluenced  by   the  formidable  difficulties  that 
assail  us   in  Europe;  and  even  these  difficulties, 
while  they  lead  us  into  such  disastrous  wars,  pro 
duce  indirectly  incalculable  advantages  to  the  com 
merce  of  America.     Founded  at  a  time  when  a 
high  degree  of  civilization  had  already  made  much 
progress  in  England,  the  British  Colonies  of  North 
America  received  with  their  origin  political  institu 
tions,  the  principles  of  which  actuate  at  the  present 
day  the  governments  of  the  United  States,  whilst  in 
Europe  much  time  and  many  sacrifices  will  be  neces 
sary,  not  only  to  obtain  those  institutions  which  the 
progress  of  intelligence  demands,  but  even  to  enable 
those  institutions  to  be  justly  appreciated,  and  above 
all  to  be  well  understood  by  the  mass  of  mankind. 
Finally,  the  population  of  the  union  is  at  the  pres 
ent  scattered  over  a  territory  of  almost  equal  extent 


120 

with  Europe  (Russia,  Sweden  and  Turkey  except- 
ed) ;  and  in  this  immense  and  rich  dominion,  that 
multiplicity  of  custom-houses,  and  fiscal  internal 
demarcations,  which  so  much  injure  and  clog  the 
development  of  European  industry,  are  not  to  be 
found.  Europe  is  without  doubt  the  finest  portion  of 
the  world,  the  part  which,  on  an  equal  given  space 
or  superficies,  presents  the  most  abundant  resources 
of  every  kind  ;  but  instead  of  mutually  contributing 
to  a  common  prosperity,  the  nations  of  Europe,  ac 
tuated  by  rivalries  without  end,  pour  out  their  blood 
and  exhaust  their  treasure  to  destroy  each  other, 
and  mutually  paralyse  their  progress  towards  a  bet 
ter  system.  What  a  lesson  for  the  American 
union !  when  once  this  is  destroyed,  its  ruins  would 
soon  fall  into  the  same  labyrinth  of  difficulties  as 
at  this  moment  disturbs  and  perplexes  the  nations 
of  Europe." 


121 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Capt.  Hall's  estimate  of  mean  charge  to  each  inhabitant  of  the 
United  States.— Mr  F.  Cooper's  remarks  on  the  Revue  Britan- 
nique. — Mr  Cooper's  estimate  of  mean  public  charge. 

CAPTAIN  B.  HALL,  makes  the  total  amount  of  what 
each  person  pays  to  the  state  and  general  govern 
ments,  on  an  average  of  three  years,  1825-6-7,  to  be 
IZs.  4fd,  which  is  much  nearer  the  truth,  it  ap 
pears  to  me,  than  either  the  calculations  of  the 
Revue  Britannique  or  those  of  the  Quarterly.  In 
deed,  differing  from  that  gentleman  toto  coelo  as  I 
do,  in  the  impressions  received  from  a  residence  in 
the  United  States  (of  much  longer  duration  than 
Captain  Hall's),  and  however  different  my  opinions 
of  the  future  prospects  of  that  rising  and  interesting 
country  connected  with  its  present  form  of  govern 
ment,  I  cannot  forbear  to  give  my  humble  testi 
mony  in  favour  of  the  general  accuracy  of  all  the 
statements  of  that  gentleman  that  bear  upon  matters 
of  fact  and  local  description ; — do  not  let  me  be 
misunderstood,  as  supposing  that  it  can  be  necessary 
to  vindicate  Captain  Hall  in  this  country,  or  per 
haps  even  in  America,  from  a  charge  of  intentional 
misrepresentation. 


The  reviews  and  journals  of  that  country  do  not 
generally  accuse  him  of  this :  on  the  contrary,  many 
of  the  extracts  which  are  given  by  American  wrri- 
ters  sufficiently  show  that  he  in  a  thousand  instan 
ces  did  justice  to  what  he  saw  there ;  but  it  has 
been  asserted  that  a  strong  political  bias— a  power 
ful  feeling  of  prejudice — continually  interfered  with 
the  exercise  of  his  judgment  when  drawing  infer 
ences  from  what  he  saw,  and  making  general  and 
not  laudatory  reflections  upon  that  which  he  had 
just  before  been  describing  with  warm  approba 
tion.* 

The  sum  calculated  by  Captain  Hall,  like  that  of 
General  Bernard,  leaves  out  the  expenses  of  the 
church  and  the  public  turnpike  roads  ;  the  error  in 
its  amount  will  be  easily  accounted  for  in  examin 
ing  the  calculations  of  Mr  Cooper  and  those  of  the 
Quarterly. 

Mr  Fenimore  Cooper  had  been  requested  by 
General  Lafayette  to  rectify  errors  in  the  state 
ments  of  the  Bevue  Britannique ;  the  general  thus 
explains  his  object  in  requesting  Mr  Cooper  to  un 
dertake  a  task  for  which  he  is  so  eminently  quali 
fied.  "Independently  of  our  common  American 
interest  on  this  subject,  I  feel  a  wish  to  undeceive 

*  Vide  Review  of  Captain  B.  Hall's  Travels  in  North  America, 
2d  ed.     London,  published  by  Kennett,  &c. 


123 

such  of  my  French  colleagues  as  may  conscien 
tiously  believe  that  they  ought  to  oppose  reductions 
in  the  expenditure,  from  the  erroneous  impression 
that  the  taxes  of  this  country  (France)  are  less  op 
pressive  than  the  combined  expenses  of  the  federal 
and  state  governments  of  the  union." 

Mr  Cooper,  after  some  general  observations,  re 
markable  for  their  fairness  and  the  judgment  with 
which  he  notices  some  of  the  sources  of  error  in 
the  theories  and  reasonings  that  are  frequently  ap 
plied  to  the  affairs  of  America,  and  regretting  that  he 
has  not  at  hand  the  materials  and  authorities  that 
he  could  wish,  proceeds  to  give  an  outline  of  the 
origin  and  state  of  the  national  debt  of  the  United 
States,  part  of  which  will  be  found  in  the  Appen 
dix.* 

Before  examining  farther  Mr  Cooper's  statement, 
it  is  necessary  to  give  the  extract  from  the  Revue 
Britannique,  wrhich  gave  occasion  for  it. — "  The 
federal  budget  of  the  United  States,  which  might 
also  be  called  their  political  budget,  did  not  exceed, 
in  1829,  24,767,119  dollars  (or  131,265,729 
francs),  but  in  time  of  warf  it  amounts  to  more 
than  twice  that  sum." 

*  Vide  Appendix  at  the  end  of  the  volume, 
t  In  the  original  it  is  u  mais  en  terns  de  paix,  il  s'eleve  a  plus 
du  double,"  evidently  a  misprint. 


124 

"  Doubtless  the  moderation  of  this  budget  will 
strike  one  forcibly  when  compared  with  the  enor 
mous  amount  of  ours.  We  are  inclined  to  envy 
the  fortunate  position  of  a  nation  freed  from  the 
diversity  of  our  fiscal  imposts,  and  which  in  fact 
has,  it  may  be  said,  but  a  single  source  of  revenue, 
that  of  the  customs.  It  will  be  calculated  that 
even  were  our  army  reduced  to  a  low  peace  estab 
lishment,  our  budget  would  still  amount  to  near  a 
thousand  millions.  The  result  wrould  be,  that  in 
France  the  mean  amount  of  the  public  charge  paid 
by  each  individual  is  31  francs,  whilst  in  the 
United  States  it  is  but  13  francs: — but  this  is  a 
mere  deception.  It  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
the  twenty-four  states  composing  the  American 
union,  are  not  provinces  or  departments,  but  in 
dependent  states,  having  each  their  separate  budget, 
as  they  also  have  a  separate  constitution.  To 
ascertain,  therefore,  the  public  expenditure  of  the 
United  States,  it  becomes  necessary  to  add  the 
particular  budgets  of  every  state  to  the  federal 
budget,  which  only  embraces  the  collective  expen 
ses  of  the  union.  One  must  also  place  to  account 
the  different  county  expenses  which  are  not  quoted 
either  in  the  general  or  state  budgets :  add  to  this 
the  expenses  of  making  and  repairing  roads,  as  on 
none  of  our  roads  are  any  tolls  levied,  but  this  item 
is  included  in  the  national  budget.  In  the  United 


125 

States,  on  the  other  hand,  a  great  number  of  the 
roads  are  turnpike  roads,  on  which  a  toll  is  paid  by 
all  who  use  them.  One  must,  therefore,  if  the 
amount  of  these  tolls  were  ascertained,  add  it  to  the 
other  public  expenses.  Before  we  proceed  to  ex 
amine  the  state  budget,  let  us  analyse  some  items 
of  the  federal  budget,  and  we  shall  find,  that  the 
salaries  which  are  paid  out  of  it,  far  from  being 
subjected  to  a  rigorous  economy,  are  almost  in  every 
case  higher  than  those  paid  for  the  corresponding 
services  in  France." 

"  The  political  communities,  which  have  lately 
been  reconstructed  in  Europe  upon  a  new  basis, 
have  all  deemed  it  indispensable  for  the  maintenance 
of  tranquillity,  to  place  a  sovereign  in  the  highest 
place  in  their  social  hierarchy.  They  have  necessa 
rily  been  obliged  to  burden  themselves  with  a  consi 
derable  expense,  to  invest  the  family  in  which  the 
superior  power  is  made  hereditary  with  the  requi 
site  splendour.  The  genius  of  America,  having  in 
some  sort  sufficient  space  in  which  to  employ  its 
glowing  spirit  of  enterprise,  does  not  appear  to  have 
as  yet  required  this  condition  to  avoid  turbulence 
and  disquiet.  There  are  forest  regions  to  clear, 
savage  tribes  to  subdue,  immense,  innumerable 
plains  to  be  cultivated  :  no  expense,  therefore,  equi 
valent  to  what  we  denominate  civil  list,  is  to  be 


126 

found  in  the  federal  budget,  although  there  is  one 
item  nominally  the  same,  but  which  represents  ex 
penses  of  a  different  nature.     As  has  been  already 
said,  a  constitutional  king,  none  of  whose  acts  are 
voted  without  the  countersign  of  a  responsible  min 
ister,  reigns,  but  does  not  govern.     The  President 
of  the  United  States,  who  does  govern,  has  no 
counterpart  in  France,  but  the  President  of  the 
council,  placed  like  him  at  the  head  of  affairs :  his 
emoluments  are  25,000  dollars  (or  132,500*  fr.). 
The  president  of  the  council  in  France  is  fixed  at 
120,000  francs  in  the  national  budget.     The  Pre 
sident  of  the  United  States  has,  besides,  a  magnifi 
cent  hotel  in  Washington,  and  a  country  villaf  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  that  town.     Notwithstanding 
this,  it  appears  that  his  appointments  are  insufficient 
to  cover  the  expenses  to  which,  by  usage,  he  is  sub 
jected.     One  of  these  expensive  customs  is,   the 
necessity  of  giving,  during  the  session  of  congress, 
two  grand  dinners,  which  are  far  from  being  re 
markable  for  that  simplicity  attributed  by  us  to 
republican  manners :  these  dinner-parties,  and  the 
other  expenses  incident  to  the  representation  kept 

*  132,500,  or  between  5  and  6000Z. 

t  This  is  not  the  case :  the  mistake  probably  arose  from  the 
accidental  circumstance  of  the  family  of  the  late  President  (Mr 
Adams)  occupying  at  one  time  a  country-house  very  near  Wash 
ington. 


127 

up  by  the  President,  deranged  the  fortunes  of  many 
of  those  who  have  filled  the  post  of  supreme  ma 
gistrate.  Mr  Jefferson  and  Mr  Munroe  died,  it 
may  be  said,  almost  insolvent." 

I  believe  that  Captain  Hall  was  the  first  writer 
on  the  United  States  who  called  public  attention 
in  Europe  to  the  duplicate  form  of  government  of 
the  American  union,  and  pointed  out  the  necessity 
of  taking  into  any  calculation  of  the  whole  expen 
diture  of  that  country,  the  generalauA  state  budgets 
to  which  each  inhabitant  of  the  United  States  con 
tributes.  The  errors  in  his  calculations  are  in  the 
amount  which  he  allows  for  their  joint  sums; 
and  although  he  comes  much  nearer  the  truth  than 
either  the  Quarterly  or  the  Revue  Britannique,  he 
evidently  does  not  take  into  consideration  many 
circumstances  the  ignorance  of  which  has  also  mis 
led  the  authors  of  the  articles  in  the  above-men 
tioned  journals. 

The  amount  of  annual  charge  paid  by  each  indi 
vidual  in  the  United  States  is  made  by  Mr  Cooper 
(valuing  the  dollar  at  5  francs  33  centimes)  to 
amount  to  14  francs  5  centimes.  This  sum  does 
not  materially  differ  from  that  given  by  Captain 
Hall  (viz.  1 2s.  4f  d.)  ;  but  there  is  this  important 
difference  in  their  calculations ;  Mr  Cooper  includes 
in  his  estimate,  not  only  the  federal  and  the  state  bud- 


128 

gets,  but  the  expense  of  public  schools,  of  the  clergy, 
the  poor,  and  every  incidental  expense;  whereas 
Captain  Hall  only  reckons  the  combined  expenditure 
of  the  general  and  state  governments.  For  the 
two  budgets  alone,  Mr  Cooper  calculates  the  mean 
charge  per  head  at  10  francs  40  centimes,  or  about 
one  franc  less  than  General  Bernard's  estimate* 
(11  francs  47  centimes),  which  also  omitted  the 
clergy.  Before  I  proceed  to  examine  in  detail  how 
these  different  results  have  been  produced,  the  es 
timates  of  the  Quarterly  should  be  taken  into  con 
sideration  ;  gfc,  although  not  given  in  the  same  form 
as  those  which  have  been  already  mentioned,  they 
will  in  fact  be  answered  in  the  course  of  the  exam 
ination  of  the  others. 

*  It  must  also  be  recollected  that  General  Bernard  calculates 
the  dollar  at  5  francs  25  centimes,  while  Mr  Cooper  reckons  it 
at  5  francs  33  centimes. 


129 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Quarterly's  remarks  on  American  statistics. — General  and  state 
expenditure, — General  Bernard's  and  Mr  Cooper's  estimates. 

AFTER  some  preliminary  remarks,  the  writer  of 
the  article,  "  Progress  of  Misgovernment,"  observes, 
that "  we  are  not  to  infer  that  there  is  no  unnecess 
ary  expenditure  under  the  American  system,"  and 
that  in  fact  those  establishments  which  they  have 
in  common  with  us  are  not  "  on  a  much  more  eco 
nomical  scale  than  our  own."  He  differs  from 
the  Revue  Britannique,  inasmuch  as  he  says,  "  It  is 
true  that  the  salary  and  establishment  of  the  Presi 
dent  are  framed  on  a  scale  of  severe  republican  sim 
plicity"  "But,"  he  adds,  "on  the  other  hand,  be 
it  remembered, .  there  are  certain  other  civil  dis 
bursements,  in  the  shape  of  salaries,  from  wrhich 
our  monarchical  establishment  is  exempt.  Be  it 
remembered  that,  besides  the  two  houses  of  congress, 
there  are  twenty-four  local  houses  of  representatives 
and  twenty-four  senates*  continually  in  existence, 

*  This  is  not  precisely  the  case :  in  Vermont,  for  instance, 
there  is  no  senate,  and  the  upper  house  in  New  Jersey  is  styled 
the  "  legislative  council ;"  but  this  is  immaterial  to  the  general 
argument. 

R 


130 

and  during  a  considerable  portion  of  the  year  in 
actual  session,  in  the  several  states,  &c.  &c.5  and 
that  every  one  of  these  delegates  is  paid,— those 
serving  in  the  general  congress  receiving  as  much 
as  eight  dollars,  or  about  ll.  1 6s.  per  day,  during 
the  session,  besides  a  like  sum  for  every  twenty 
miles  of  distance  from  his  residence  to  the  seat  of 
congress."  In  all  this  information  the  reviewer 
is  generally  right,  as  well  as  in  all  the  oftier  facts 
taken  from  the  tables  appended  to  Captain  Hall's 
Travels.* 

But  his  mode  is  quite  different  of  bringing  for 
ward  his  proofs  of  the  assertion  in  the  former  part 
of  his  remarks,  viz.  that  the  expenses  of  the  gov- 

*  The  manner  in  which  his  subsequent  calculations  are  made, 
reminds  one  of  that  part  of  Captain  Hall's  Travels,  where  a  cha 
racteristic  conversation  is  given  between  a  shrewd  old  Irish  set 
tler  and  a  land  agent : — on  asking  the  old  emigrant  for  informa 
tion  about  the  settlement,  he  began  to  suspect  some  lurking  mo 
tive  in  these,  as  he  thought,  leading  questions — "  What  shall  I 
say  to  the  gentleman,  sir?"— "Why,  Cornelius,  said  the  agent, 
"  tell  the  truth."  "  O  yes,  of  course,  sir,  we  must  always  tell  the 
truth,  but— if  I  only  knew  what  the  gentleman  wanted,  1  would 
know  which  way  to  answer — in  short,  should  I  overstate  matters,  sir, 
or  should  I  understate  them?  shall  I  make  things  appear  better  or 
worse  than  they  are  ?" 

It  may  possibly  be  recollected  by  more  than  one  member  of 
our  own  legislature,  that  there  were  modes  some  years  ago  of 
making  out  parliamentary  calculations,  very  much  upon  the  prin 
ciple  of  the  Irish  emigrant; — at  least,  such  things  have  been 
asserted, — and  the  calculations  of  the  Quarterly  remind  one 
strongly  of  this  sort  of  over  and  under  statement. 


131 

ernment  under  the  American  system  nearly  equal 
those  of  Great  Britain.     He  does  not  calculate  the 
mean  amount  of  public  charge  borne  by  each  in 
dividual,  the  mode  adopted  by  Captain  Hall,  the 
RevCfc  Britannique,  Mr  Cooper,  and  General  Ber 
nard,  but  taking  certain  parts  of  the  American  ex 
penditure,  compares  their  gross  amount  with  the 
corresponding  items  in  the  English  budget.     He 
thus  obtains  624,5387.  for  the  entire  civil  expendi 
ture  of  the  American  republic  (which  we  shall  not 
at  present  analyse,  but  allow  for  the  sake  of  argu 
ment  to  be  correct).     He  then  turns  to  statements 
laid  before  parliament,  and  finds  that  our  civil  list, 
salaries  and  allowances  paid  out  of  the  consolidated 
fund,  our  courts  of  justice,  amount  to  1, 26  9,7  6 51. 
But  as  he  says,  "  these  are  expenses  which  ought 
necessarily  to  bear  a  direct  proportion  to  population, 
if  not  to  wealth;"  and  the  population  of  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland  being  about  24,110,125,  he, 
by  assuming  that  the  expenditure  of  the  union  shall 
increase  pro  rato  with  its  population,  it  follows, 
that  when  it  shall  have  attained  twenty-four  millions, 
"  the   expenditure   wTill   be   fifty-seven   thousand 
pounds  more  than  ours !" 

To  obtain  this  singular  result,  it  is  true,  as  the 
Quarterly  observes,  he  has  indeed  left  out  "  the  par 
liamentary  pensions  and  annuities,  granted  for  the 


132 

most  part  in  consideration  of  eminent  public  ser 
vices" — because,  forsooth,  there  is  no  corresponding 
item  in  this  department  of  the  American  accounts : 
this  omission,  which  many  people  might  be  inclined 
to  think  not  wholly  unimportant  in  a  comparative 
estimate  of  the  expenditure  of  the  two  govern 
ments,  is  subsequently  rectified  by  taking  the 
amount  of  the  revolutionary  pensions  in  the  United 
States,  and  by  setting  them  off  against  the  parlia 
mentary  pensions,  he  still  gets  a  balance  in  favour 
of  America  of  no  more  than  166,3657. 

In  the  first  place  it  must  be  remarked,  that  the 
Quarterly,  in  common  with  Captain  B.  Hall,  and 
the  writer  in  the  Revue  Britannique,  iswTrong  with 
respect  to  the  amount  of  the  state  expenditure,  and 
in  consequence  all  their  calculations  are  wride  of 
the  truth ;  allowing  that  the  mean,  taken  from  the 
tables  of  Captain  Hall,  is  correct  as  applied  gener 
ally  (and  it  is  far  from  being  so,  by  reason  of  the 
preponderance  of  the  richer  and  more  populous 
states  in  the  calculation),  it  seems  to  have  been 
quite  forgotten,  that  a  very  small  part  of  this  nom 
inal  amount  is  really  a  charge  upon  the  tax  prayers. 
In  almost  every  state  a  considerable  share  of  the 
expenditure  is  covered  by  the  interest  of  different 
funds ;  in  many,  a  large  portion  of  the  state  budget 
is  appropriated  to  internal  improvements,  which  be- 


133 

come  in  their  turn  sources  of  public  revenue.* 
Such  are  the  great  canals  of  New  York,  Pennsyl 
vania,  Ohio,  &c.  By  making  the  requisite  deduc 
tions,  according  to  the  best  information  that  I  have 
been  able  to  obtain,  from  the  sums  paid  throughout 
the  union  to  the  support  of  the  state  expenses,  I 
think  that  something  more  than  one  shilling  ster 
ling  (instead  of  three  shillings,  according  to  Captain 
Hall  and  the  Quarterly)  is  about  the  amount  of  the 
mean  charge  for  state  expenditure.  But  this 
amount  cannot,  without  possessing  more  local  in 
formation  than  most  foreigners  can  obtain,  and  de 
voting  much  time  to  the  subject,  be  given  writh 
any  accuracy.  It  will  be  probably  better  therefore 
to  take  the  calculations  of  General  Bernard  and 
Mr  Cooper  as  our  guide  on  this  head.  General 
Bernard  takes  an  average  of  the  expenditure  of  twro 
of  the  richest  and  most  populous  states  of  the  union, 
viz.  New  York  and  Virginia,  and  thus  obtains  one 
franc  32  centimes  as  the  maximum  per  individual 
of  annual  charge.  By  not  being  aware  of  the  real 

*  Thus  in  Pennsylvania,  for  instance,  nearly  two  millions  and 
a  half  are  given  as  the  state  expenditure;  but  it  should  be  ob 
served,  that  at  the  time  that  Captain  Hall  alludes  to,  some  mil 
lions  had  been  employed,  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  years,  by 
that  state,  for  making  a  canal,  afterwards  to  become  a  profitable 
source  of  revenue  to  the  state  itself ;  and  consequently  the  two 
millions  and  upwards  were  far  from  being  the  true  amount  of  the 
usual  state  expenditure,  and  so  of  other  states. 


134 

nature  of  the  state  budget,  the  Revue  Britannique, 
as  well  as  Captain  Hall,  and  the  Quarterly,  have 
given  totally  false  estimates  of  the  amount  of  the 
state  expenses.  Thus  the  Revue  Britannique, 
whose  calculations  are  principally  made  from  the 
budget  of  New  York,  reckons  the  state  expenditure 
at  10,179,498  francs,  whereas,  there  is  out  of  this 
sum  no  more  than  1,837,500  francs  paid  by  the 
inhabitants  of  that  state.  The  remainder  is  paid 
by  the  interests  of  the  funds  belonging  to  the  state, 
and  by  the  receipts  of  the  Erie  and  Champlain 
canals,  which  latter  alone  amount  to  near  5,000,000 
francs. 

Mr  Cooper,  himself  a  citizen  of  New  York,  and 
of  course  more  likely  to  be  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  details  of  the  expenditure  of  this  state  than 
a  foreigner,  makes  the  mean  annual  charge  of  each 
inhabitant  of  New  York  to  be  95  centimes,  or 
within  one  sous  of  a  franc ;  and  he  thinks  that  this 
is  a  fair  criterion  for  the  amount  of  the  rest  of  the 
union.  He  takes  the  average  real  expenditure  for 
five  years,  and  estimates  it  at  350,000  dollars. 
This  amount  seems  very  small ;  but  it  must  be  re 
collected  that  although  each  state  is  considered  as 
a  separate  and  independent  government,  yet  none 
but  the  federal  government  has  to  defray  the  ex 
penses  of  any  regular  armed  force  ;  that  they  have 


135 

no  naval  department,  and  no  foreign  relations,  to 
keep  up.  It  must  also  be  borne  in  mind,  that  the 
large  and  increasing  revenue  of  the  canals,  salt 
works,  &c.  in  proportion  as  the  mortgages  upon  the 
revenues  will  be  paid  off,  will  become  available  in 
a  greater  proportion  by  the  state,  so  that  upon  a 
moderate  valuation,  when  quite  unincumbered,  the 
canals,  salt  works,  &c.  will  produce  a  revenue,  in 
Mr  Cooper's  opinion,  four  times  greater  than  the 
sum  required  for  the  expenses  of  the  state.  It 
should  also  be  recollected,  that  in  comparing  the 
amount  of  expenditure  in  the  two  countries,  we 
should  take  into  account  the  poor-rates,  county- 
rates,  &c.  in  England,  which  will  be  found,  at  a 
very  moderate  computation,  much  to  exceed  the 
aggregate  of  the  state  expenses  of  America. 


Li 0rW-  j 
* 


136 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

Future  financial  prospects  of  the  United  States. — Military  ex 
penses. — Naval  expenses.— Cost  of  administration  of  justice. 
— Salaries  of  the  clergy. 

i  ?J-9*T.O;' 

THE  calculation  in  the  Quarterly  that  when  the 
population  of  the  United  States  shall  equal  our 
own,  the  expenditure  will  be  proportionally  in 
creased,  is  not  likely  to  prove  correct  either  in  the 
ory  or  practice.  The  immense  extent  of  territory 
in  the  United  States,  the  scattered  position  of  many 
of  its  inhabitants,  and  the  nature  of  its  border  and 
southern  population,  require  a  vast  framework  of 
organization  both  for  military  and  judicial  purposes, 
and  an  apparently  disproportionate  expense ;  thus 
the  skeletons  of  the  regiments  composing  their  small 
army  are  made  upon  a  scale  that  would  admit  of 
a  considerable  augmentation  writh  a  trifling  increase 
of  expense,  as  the  staff  and  officers,  as  well  as  the 
number  of  clerks  employed  in  the  war  office,  arid 
the  other  parts  of  the  military  organization  are  kept 
up  on  a  footing  that  would  allow  of  a  great  increase 
of  effective  force  with  little  addition  to  the  budget, 
beyond  the  pay  of  the  additional  privates.  On  this 


137 

head  the  opinion  of  General  Bernard,  who  for  sev 
eral  years  filled  a  high  military  post  in  the  service 
of  the  United  States,  is  of  much  weight ;  he  says, 
"that  the  American  army  might  be  increased  to 
12,000  men  (or  about  double  its  present  number) 
without  any  sensible  augmentation  in  the  expenses 
of  the  war  department  at  Washington  (I' adminis 
tration  centrale).     That  the  number  of  privates  is 
reduced  as  low  as  possible,  while  the  officers  are 
kept  up  on  a  scale  adapted  for  thrice  the  effective 
numerical  force ;  by  which  means  the  general  ex 
penses  are  diminished  in  time  of  peace,  and  they 
are  prepared  with  a  sufficient  number  of  officers  on 
the  breaking  out  of  war." 

It  may  be  remarked,  that  the  expenses  of  the 
military  force  of  the  United  States,  when  compared 
with  those  of  many  of  the  European  armies,  are 
disproportionately  "great,  amounting  for  about  6,000 
men  to  nearly  21  millions  of  francs,  or  about 
4,200,000  dollars.  It  should  be  recollected  that 
the  American  soldier  is  enrolled  by  voluntary  en 
listment,  and  the  wages  of  labour  in  the  United 
States  being  very  high,  he  will  of  course  expect  a 
proportionate  remuneration  for  his  services.  Be 
sides,  a  sum  of  525,000  francs,  annually  voted  for 
the  manufacture  of  musquets  and  small  arms,  is  in- 


138 

eluded  in  the  above  estimate,  as  also  the  expenses 
of  a  formidable  line  of  fortifications  now  in  progress, 
with  its  artillery  and  that  of  the  army.*  In  like 
manner  the  expenses  of  the  navy  department  at 
Washington  would  not  materially  increase  if  it 
became  necessary  to  put  twice  the  present  number 
of  ships  of  war  in  commission. 

The  same  necessity  exists  for  a  large  propor 
tionate  expense  to  the  federal  government  in  the 
administration  of  justice,  the  framework  of  which 
is  at  present  calculated  rather  upon  the  extent  of 
territory  than  upon  the  number  of  inhabitants,  as 
the  organization  is  uniform  and  general.  On  this 
subject  Mr  Cooper  thus  expresses  himself,  "  The 
maintenance  of  order,  and  the  administration  of 
justice,  would  not  cost  much  more,  were  the  popu 
lation  100  millions,  than  they  do  at  present  for 
less  than  14  millions.  No  person  is  allowed  to 
hold  more  than  one  place  or  office,  and  none  of 
those  now  employed  could  be  dispensed  with  with 
out  detriment  to  the  public  service.  It  is  necessary 
to  support  thirty  district  courts  for  a  population  of 
less  than  14  millions,  whereas,  if  the  union  \vere 
of  no  greater  extent  than  France,  proportionally 

*  These  fortifications  have  been  carried  on,  and,  in  many  in 
stances  completed,  under  the  able  superintendence  of  General 
Bernard. 


139 

to  its  number  of  inhabitants,  four  courts  would  suf 
fice." 

Allowing  for  a  very  natural  bias  in  favour  of 
the  institutions  of  his  country,  it  may  be  probable 
that  Mr  Cooper  has  overrated  the  economy  of  the 
administration  of  justice ;  still  his  observations 
deserve  much  consideration. 

There  is  also  a  charge  peculiar  to  the  United 
States,*  which  is  the  sum  paid  to  the  Indian  tribes, 
and  this  alone  amounts  to  about  one-twentieth  of 
the  whole  American. budget,  and  is  not  likely  to 
increase  in  the  same  ratio  as  the  population  of  the 
country. 

But  the  errors  and  misconceptions  on  all  that 
relates  to  the  statistics  of  the  United  States  in  this 
article  of  the  Quarterly,  are  nowhere  more  con 
spicuous  than  in  that  part  where  the  annual  ex 
pense  of  the  clergy  is  estimated.  The  reviewer 
founds  his  calculations  upon  the  statement  of  Dr 
Cooper,!  from  which  he  estimates  the  aggregate 
amount  paid  throughout  the  union  to  the  clergy 
of  all  sects  at  s635081, 650  ;f  and  as  on  the  same 

*  The  government  of  our  North  American  colonies  have  a  sim 
ilar  item  in  their  expenditure. 

t  Dr- Cooper  is,  or  was,  professor  at  one  of  the  colleges  in  the 
United  States,*  and  is,  I  believe,  no  relation  of  Mr  F.  Cooper. 

J  The  Revue  Britannique,  not  wishing  to  understate,  gives  as 

*  Columbia,  South  Carolina. 


140 

authority  he  states  the  number  of  clergymen  to  be 
about  13,000,  he  obtains  23 7 1.  10s.  as  the  average 
annual  stipend  of  each  clergyman  (1000  dollars, 
according  to  Dr  Cooper),  exclusive  of  occasional 
emoluments  ("  irregular  exactions  and  fees,"  &c.). 
This  he  contrasts  with  the  sum  of  the  tithes  in  the 
hands  of  the  clergy  "  in  England,  which,"  he  says, 
"  from  very  satisfactory  evidence,  does  not  much 
exceed  sfi  2,21 5,000;"  and  that,  "?/  the  tithes 
were  equally  divided  among  all  the  livings"  each 
clergyman  would  have  but  §§200 ;  that  by  adding 
the  cathedral  property,  and  the  income  of  the 
bishops,  you  cannot  establish  an  aggregate  of  more 
than  £2,673,500. 

If  the  accuracy  of  this  statement  could  be  ad 
mitted,  it  \vould  at  once  do  away  with  an  objection 
that  has  been  sometimes  made  to  the  church  sys 
tem  in  the  United  States,  viz. — that  unless  the  pro 
vision  for  the  church  were  compulsory,  and  itssup- 
po'rt  established  by  law,  the  clergy  would  starve. 
But,  although  I  can  fully  bear  witness,  as  far  as 
my  observation  goes,  to  the  fact  that  the  clergy  of 
the  Episcopalian  and  some  other  forms  of  worship 
in  America  are  not  only  respectably  maintained, 
but  that  they,  in  fact  (whatever  may  be  their  nom- 

the  revenue  of  the  clergy  in  America  30,000,000  francs,  or  about 
£  1,200,000. 


141 

inal  income,  or  the  comparative  cheapness  of  their 
place  of  residence),  live  in  comfort  and  competence, 
and  that  I  never  either  saw  or  heard  of  clergymen 
heing  in  want  or  distressed,  so  as  not  to  be  able  to 
support  and  provide  for  their  families  with  more 
than  the  mere  necessaries  of  life ;  yet  the  rate  cal 
culated  by  the  reviewer  is  much  too  high.  It  is 
extremely  difficult  to  form  an  accurate  estimate  of 
either  the  number  of  the  clergy  in  the  United 
States  or  the  amount  of  their  emoluments.  If 
one  were  required  in  this  country  to  make  out  an 
exact  schedule  of  the  income  enjoyed  by  the  clergy 
of  the  established  church,  notwithstanding  the 
assistance  afforded  by  the  Liber  fiegalis  and  the 
clerical  guide,  it  would  not  be  easy  to  get  the 
precise  amount  of  the  real  income  of  the  clergy, 
including  cathedral  property,  Easter  offerings, 
glebes,  oblations,  dues9  pews  in  the  church,  fees, 
&c.  &c.  A  proof  of  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  a 
true  estimate  may  be  found  in  the  various  sums  at 
which  the  revenues  of  the  Anglican  church  have 
been  valued.  The  Quarterly  says  £ 2,67 r;500  in 
one  place,  and  563,872,138  in  another.*  But 
other  valuations  certainly  have  been  made,  and 
many  published  in  the  various  London  journals, 
which  vary  from  four  to  even  nine  millions  and 

*  Vide  Vol.  XXIX.  of  Quarterly  Review,  p.  555. 


142 

more.  As  it  is  no  part  of  the  object  of  this  work 
to  examine  into  the  real  amount  of  the  temporali 
ties  of  the  church  of  England,  but  to  show  what 
is  the  probable  sum  of  the  income  of  the  clergy 
in  the  United  States,  I  shall  not  take  any  other 
valuation  than  that  of  the  Quarterly  Reviewer,  cer 
tainly  not  likely,  from  the  tenor  of  his  argument, 
to  be  exaggerated. 


143 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Ecclesiastical  revenues  of  the  United  States. — Valuations  of  the 
Quarterly  of  church  of  England  revenues,  and  those  of  the 
clergy  of  America.— Probable  real  amount  of  church  emolu 
ments  in  the  United  States. 

BUT  if  it  be 'not  easy  to  form  a  correct  estimation 
of  the  revenue  of  the  church  of  England,  what  must 
be  the  difficulty  of  getting  at  the  true  value  of  all 
the  sums  appropriated  throughout  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland  to  the  support  of  the  clergy  of  all  de 
nominations?  In  Scotland  it  would  be  compara 
tively  easy,  and  in  Ireland,  as  far  as  the  legally 
established  church  is  concerned ,  but,  to  put  the 
question  on  fair  grounds,  we  must  include  not  only 
the  Catholic  clergy  of  Ireland,  but  the  Presbyte 
rians,  and  all  the  dissenters  of  the  united  kingdom. 
The  reviewer  admits  this,  with  regard  to  the  dis 
senters,  in  speaking  of  England  only,  and  allows 
that  it  might  be  more  than  sufficient  to  make  up 
the  difference  between  his  estimate  of  the  relative 
amounts  of  the  incomes  of  each  clergyman  in  the 
two  countries,  i.  e.  between  2,673,500/.*  in  Eng- 

*  This  is  the  estimate  in  the  92d  vol.  of  the  Quarterly  ;  that  in 
the  29th  being  above  a  million  more. 


144 

laud  and  3,081,650/.  in  the  United  States.  It  must 
be  remembered,  also,  that  in  this  comparative  esti 
mate  the  church  of  Ireland,  that  is  to  say,  the  es 
tablished  church,  is  not  included,  nor  is  Scotland 
taken  into  account ;  whereas,  in  the  calculation  of 
13,000  clergymen  in  the  United  States,  all  denomi 
nations  are  included  in  all  parts  of  that  extensive 
country. 

Thus  allowing  the  correctness  of  the  above  esti 
mate,  the  annual  income  of  the  church,  or  rather 
of  the  clergy,  in  the  United  States  would  at  once 
appear  to  be  infinitely  below  that  of  the  clergy  of 
the  united  kingdom ;  and  this  is  to  be  expected  as 
a  matter  of  course,  from  the  totally  different  cir 
cumstances  of  the  church  in  the  two  countries.  In 
America  the  clergy  have  no  connexion  with  the 
government,  or  with  any  political  party,  directly 
or  indirectly ;  they  are  not  magistrates,  nor  do  they 
take  part  in  any  of  the  lighter  recreations  of  society 
that  in  this  country  are  looked  upon  as  at  least 
harmless  amusements.  Clergymen  are  rarely,  if 
ever,  seen  either  at  a  ball  or  party ;  nor  do  they 
mix  much  in  general  and  large  companies,  unless 
when  brought  together  for  the  promotion  of  some 
charitable  measure,  or  some  association  connected 
with  their  religious  duties.  It  is  not  intended  to 
institute  a  comparison  between  the  habits  and  prin- 


145 

ciples  of  the  American  clergy  and  those  of  the 
church  of  England,  but  to  mention  facts  that  ac 
count  for  their  total  difference  of  position  in  social 
and  political  life.  Indeed,  the  difference  of  feeling 
in  the  two  countries  is  so  great,  that  if  a  clergyman 
were,  in  most  parts  of  the  United  States,  to  be  seen 
at  a  theatre,  at  a  dance,  or  to  join  a  card  party,  he 
would  certainly  fall  in  the  esteem  and  opinion  of 
his  flock ;  but  if  he  were  to  become  habitually  a 
frequenter  of  balls,  plays,  &c.  or  be  tempted  to  be 
come  a  sportsman  or  fox- hunter,  he  certainly  would 
not  long  continue  to  fill  the  station  of  pastor  to  any 
congregation.  I  do  not  pretend  to  give  any  opinion 
as  to  the  comparative  merits  of  the  two  systems, 
nor  is  either  censure  or  approbation  implied  of  the 
severity  of  public  opinion  in  America  on  this  sub 
ject.  These  facts,  however,  joined  to  the  absence 
of  all  political  or  worldly  dignities  in  the  ecclesi 
astical  body  in  the  United  States,  render  large 
incomes  quite  unnecessary  to  the  clergy  of  that 
country ;  and  the  assertion,  therefore,  of  the  mean 
amount  of  their  emoluments  being  greater  than, 
or  nearly  equal  to,  that  of  the  clergymen  of  Eng 
land,  is  the  more  surprising. 

On  examination,  however,  I  think  that  there  will 
be  found  little  reason  to  suppose  this  to  be  the  case. 
The  Quarterly  takes  Dr  Cooper's  estimate  as  its 
T 


146 

guide,  and  thus  finds  that  the  aggregate  of  the  sala 
ries  of  the  clergy  in  the  United  States  is  3,081,650/. 
inasmuch  as  there  are  13,000  clergymen  at  1000 
dollars,  or  23 7/.  10s.  each.  But  this  valuation  is 
so  extremely  exaggerated  in  its  amount,  that  one  is 
at  a  loss  to  conceive  how  it  can  have  been  made 
from  any  authentic  data.  The  Revue  Britannique, 
judging  by  Williams's  Register,  published  at  New 
York,  and  one  of  the  best  authorities  for  that  city 
of  the  salaries  of  the  clergy,  makes  the  whole 
amount  of  clerical  income  in  the  United  States 
about  1,200,000/.,  which,  although  less  than  half 
the  sum  given  by  the  Quarterly,  is  still  probably 
much  more  than  the  real  amount,  as  in  many  parts 
of  the  union  the  expenses  of  the  clergy  by  no  means 
equal  those  in  the  state  of  New  York. 

But  to  enable  those  who  are  unacquainted  with 
the  ecclesiastical  affairs  of  America  to  form  an  opin 
ion  on  this  question,  it  will  be  necessary  to  mention 
a  few  circumstances  peculiar  to  the  clergy  of  the 
United  States. 

With  respect  to  the  ministers  of  religion,  no  le 
gislative  provision  is  made  in  any  of  the  states,  or 
by  the  general  government,  for  their  support.  It 
is  left  entirely  to  the  voluntary  acts  of  individuals, 
and  the  good-will  of  the  congregations  of  the  differ 
ent  sects  and  denominations  5  excepting,  however. 


147 

that  in  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  the  constitution 
compels  all  citizens  to  belong  to  some  religious  so 
ciety,  or  to  pay  for  the  support  of  some  religious 
teacher,  leaving  them  to  contribute  to  whatever 
society  or  denomination  they  may  choose. 

From  a  list  of  the  ministers  of  different  denomi 
nations  to  be  found  in  the  Appendix,  it  appears 
that  the  number  of  clergymen  is  10,120  ;  by  an 
other  enumeration  they  are  made  to  amount  to  no 
more  than  8520.  But  let  us  avoid  the  possibility 
of  underrating  the  number  of  ministers  of  religion 
paid  by  the  people  of  the  United  States,  including 
the  licentiates  as  well  as  the  ministers.  It  must 
also  be  recollected  that  among  the  methodists  there 
are  many  whose  ministers  are  not  allowed  to  reside 
more  than  two  years  in  any  one  place,  and  part  of 
whose  church  discipline  it  is  to  be  continually 
travelling  and  preaching  in  all  parts  of  the  union, 
indeed  it  may  be  said  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  for 
from  some  of  these  I  believe  are  generally  taken 
the  missionaries  who  proceed  to  the  islands  of  the 
Pacific,  to  New  Zealand,  &c.  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
The  extreme  difficulty,  therefore,  of  coming  to  any 
very  accurate  estimate  of  their  number  is  apparent. 
These  ministers  receive  in  money  but  about  sixty 
dollars,  or  about  12/.  or  13/.  annually,  if  unmarried, 
or  about  twice  that  sum  when  married,  and  there- 


148 

fore  practice  very  literally  the  scriptural  injunction 
— "Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasure  upon  earth ;" 
but  it  is  true  that  their  support  is  not  wholly  pro 
vided  for  by  this  stipend,  as  during  their  progress 
through  ihe  country  they  are  generally  received 
into  the  families  of  some  of  those  belonging  to  their 
congregations,  among  whom  are  always  found  per 
sons  able  and  willing  to  exercise  their  hospitality 
towards  the  clergy  of  their  church.  There  is 
a  hierarchy  of  this  denomination,  and  there  are 
others  who  are  not  Episcopalians. 

In  1 830  there  were  in  New  York  1382  clergymen, 
according  to  Williams's  Register ;  of  these,  there 
was,  perhaps,  not  one  whose  annual  income  would 
exceed  1000/.,  few  with  more  than  500/. ;  and  I 
should  think,  from  all  the  authorities  that  I  have 
been  able  to  consult,  that  100/.  per  annum  would 
be  rather  more  than  the  average  salary  of  each  cler 
gyman  ;  and  in  that  state  the  clergy  are  probably 
paid  higher  than  in  any  other.  It  is  difficult  to  as 
certain  with  certainty  the  existence  of  a  greater 
number  of  clergymen  than  from  8500  to  10,100? 
throughout  the  union; — but  allow  it  to  be  10,200, 
or  even  11,000  (and  this  amount  will  certainly  be 
more  than  can  be  proved),  and  we  obtain  1,100,000/. 
as  the  total  amount  of  church  income  in  America  5 
and  this,  I  think,  is  much  more  than  the  true  sum. 


149 

Possibly  Dr  Cooper  reckons  the  preachers  of  those 
sects,  among  whom  there  is  no  regular  clergy,  but 
where  one  of  the  congregation  occasionally  officiates, 
although  possibly  a  mechanic  or  farmer,  or  person 
engaged  in  any  other  employment  or  trade;  of 
whom  there  are,  I  believe,  many  in  Great  Britain ; 
— but  it  should  be  recollected  that  these  men  re 
ceive  no  salary  as  clergymen,  and  therefore  cannot 
be  included  in  the  estimate. 

But  Mr  F.  Cooper  makes  a  lower  calculation 
than  that  given  above.  His  remarks  on  this  sub 
ject  deserve  attention.  In  speaking  of  the  clergy 
of  New  York,  he  says,  "  Their  emoluments  are  de 
rived  from  two  sources,  the  revenues  belonging  to 
certain  churches,  and  voluntary  contributions.  The 
greater  portion  of  the  higher  stipends  (I  allude  to 
those  amounting  to  from  eight  to  twenty  thousand 
francs,  and  their  number  is  very  limited),  are  the 
proceeds  of  estates  or  property  enjoyed  by  the 
clergymen,  or  arise  from  the  rent  of  pews  and 
sittings  in  the  places  of  worship ;  the  smaller  sala 
ries  are  paid  by  means  of  subscriptions  raised  for 
that  object.  According  to  Williams,  there  were  in 
1830  in  New  York  1382  ecclesiastics,  having  each 
their  church.  We  should  much  exceed  the  real 
amount,  if  we  allow  that  each  of  these  receives  on 
the  average  400  dollars,  or  about  eighty  to  eighty- 


150 

five  pounds.  Of  the  whole  number  400  are  metho- 
dists,  who  do  not  receive,  as  I  know  from  good  au 
thority,  more  than  300  dollars;  and  600  dollars 
are  considered  a  very  good  salary  in  a  country  of 
some  importance.  I  recollect  that  the  principal 
minister  of  Cooperstown,  which  is  the  capital  of  a 
county,  received  but  the  latter  sum,  wrhich  was  de 
frayed  solely  by  the  rent  of  seats.  Therefore,  in 
allowing  400  dollars  as  the  salary  of  an  ecclesiastic 
in  New  York,  we  are  above  the  real  average.  He 
goes  on  to  say — "Funerals  cost  nothing ;  prayers 
for  the  living  or  the  dead  are  gratuitous ;  the  same 
is  the  case  for  baptisms  and  marriages.  Any  priest 
who  should  refuse  to  perform  any  of  these  duties 
without  payment,  would  run  a  great  risk  of  losing 
his  living.  It  is  the  custom  to  make  an  offering 
to  the  priest  who  has  performed  the  marriage  cere 
mony,  but  it  is  quite  voluntary.  And  a  small 
number  of  wealthy  people  make  presents  also  on 
the  occurrence  of  a  christening  or  baptism ;  but  the 
greater  number  of  Americans  regard  donations  on 
such  occasions  with  a  religious  horror.  They  con 
sider  it  as  an  attempt  to  corrupt  Heaven.  In  town, 
gloves  and  scarfs  are  given  to  the  priests,  as  well  as 
to  the  physicians  and  the  bearers,  by  a  few  families, 
at  funeral  ceremonies;  but  we  are  so  far  from 
thinking  it  necessary  to  pay  an  ecclesiastic  for  a 


151 

funeral,  that  for  my  own  part,  although  accustomed 
to  the  habits  of  other  countries,  I  retain  for  this 
practice  a  feeling  of  profound  aversion.  In  a  word, 
a  priest  in  America  is  considered  as  a  minister  of 
God.  He  is  paid  that  he  may  exist ;  but  no  one 
is  of  opinion  that  those  who  do  not  pay  him  have 
less  right  to  his  ministry  than  those  who  Jo."* 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  foregoing  extract  from 
Mr  Cooper's  Letter,  that  he  estimates  the  eccle 
siastical  expenses  at  about  one  fifth  lower  than  I 
have  reckoned  them  (1,100,000/.) ;  but  even  allow 
ing  the  higher  valuation,  there  is  a  difference  of 
nearly  two  millions  sterling  in  the  amount,  as  given 
by  the  Quarterly.  The  reviewer's  valuation  of  the 
amount  of  the  ecclesiastical  revenue  in  England 
has  nothing  to  do  with  the  present  object,  which 
is  not  to  institute  a  comparison  between  the  English 
and  American  church  revenue.  But  it  must  be 
evident  that,  judging  by  the  returns  for  the  county 
of  Lancaster,  which  have  been  published,  it  seems 
inconceivably  below  the  real  amount.  The  amount 
of  church  property  in  the  hands  of  churchmen  in 
that  county  alone  greatly  exceeding  the  whole  sum 

I  regret  that  I  cannnot  give  Mr  Cooper's  own  words,  as  it  is 
only  from  the  French  published  translation  of  that  gentleman's 
letter  that  the  above  citation  is  made,  and  it  is  very  probable  that 
justice  is  not  done  to  the  style  of  that  author  in  my  re-translation. 


152 

allowed  by  him  for  the  cathedral  property  of  all 
England. 

The  gross  amount  of  the  property  for  the  county 
of  Lancaster  is  upwards  of  three  millions  per  an 
num  5  and  it  is  perhaps  not  one  of  the  least  objec 
tions  to  the  church  system  in  England,  that  a  great 
part  of  the  large  sums  nominally  paid  for  its  sup 
port,  are,  in  fact,  nothing  more  than  a  species  of 
lay  property,  often  passing  from  hand  to  hand,  and 
unconnected  with  any  benefit  to  the  ministry  of 
religion,  excepting  that  the  onus  (and  it  may  be 
added  odium,  with  at  least  the  unreflecting  and 
uninformed*  part  of  the  community)  of  levying 
and  realizing  the  sums,  falls  to  the  share  of  the 
church. 

From  what  has  been  shown,  then,  it  will  be  clear 
that  we  rather  overrate  the  account  of  church  reve 
nues  in  the  United  States  by  estimating  them  at 
561,100,000;  while,  if  we  take  the  whole  income 

*  There  can  be  no  greater  proof  of  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  a 
true  estimate  of  the  income  of  the  clergy  of  the  church  of  Kng- 
land  than  the  valuations  to  be  found  in  the  Quarterly  itself.  Let 
us  take  but  two  instances.  In  the  article  "  Progress  of  Mis- 
government,"  No.  92,  we  find  the  church  revenues  calculated  at 
about  £200  per  annum  for  each  clergyman,  and  an  aggregate,  with 
cathedral  property,  of  £2,673,500.  But,  referring  to  No.  58 
(Vol.  XXIX.  p.  556,  et  seq.\  we  find  the  total  revenue  of  the 
established  church  £3,872,138  !  and  that  of  the  parochial  clergy 
£3,447,138,  or,  for  each  clergyman,  £303  annually.  While  in 
the  church  of  Scotland  each  iving  is  valued  at  £275,  and  the 
aggregate  £263,340. 


153 

of  the  established  church  of  Great  Britain  and  Ire 
land,  the  support  of  the  clergy  in  Scotland,  and  that 
of  the  Roman  catholics,  and  of  all  the  various  sects 
of  dissenters  throughout  the  United  Kingdom, 
s6l2,000,000  will  be  a  very  low  valuation. 

This  is  the  only  fair  mode  of  comparing  the 
ecclesiastical  expenditure  of  the  two  countries.* 

*  Much  has  been  said  lately  about  a  "  free  trade  in  religion." 
If  this  phrase  have  any  meaning  as  applied  to  the  United  States, 
I  am  at  a  loss  to  discover  it.  There  are  few  countries  where 
there  is  less  of  trade  or  pecuniary  considerations  in  connexion 
with  the  ministers  of  religion  than  America.  Livings  can  neither 
be  bought  nor  sold,  nor  money  received  on  account  of  the  church, 
but  by  individuals  performing  certain  duties,  for  which,  in  the 
opinion  of  those  who  benefit  by  their  ministry,  they  are  supposed 
most  eligible.  It  would  be  a  great  mistake  to  suppose  that  even 
the  mere  external  demonstrations  of  deep  respect  for  religious 
ordinances  are  not  observable  in  most  parts  of  the  United  States. 
In  a  great  many  states  there  is  annually  a  fast  day  proclaimed 
by  the  governor  of  the  state,  and  its  observance  neither  meets 
with  the  animadversion,  nor  the  opposition  that  similar  proclama 
tions  have  been  met  with  in  this  country.  The  general  respect 
for  the  ordinances  of  the  Sabbath  is  also  at  least  as  great  (except, 
I  am  informed,  in  the  southern  extremity  of  the  union)  as  in 
any  country  with  which  I  am  acquainted. 


FT 


154 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

Expenses  of  administration  of  justice. — Of  state  judiciaries.— 
Some  account  of  public  lands,  and  future  intentions  with  re 
gard  to  them. 

WITH  respect  to  the  expenses  of  the  administra 
tion  of  justice,  called  in  the  United  States  "  the 
judiciary,"  the  Quarterly  speaks  only  in  general 
terms,  but  asserts  that  to  the  country  at  large  it  is 
probably  more  costly  than  "  to  any  other  in  the 
world !"  acknowledging,  however,  that  he  knows 
of  no  data  sufficiently  accurate  from  which  to  state 
the  proportions  which  the  expenses  of  this  depart 
ment  bear  to  each  other  in  the  two  countries  re 
spectively  ;  at  least  not  with  the  "  same  precision" 
as  in  the  cases  of  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  depart 
ment. 

In  the  Appendix  will  be  found  a  table  which 
may  assist  in  forming  an  estimate  of  the  amount  of 
the  expenses  of  the  state  "  judiciaries,"  in  which 
are  included  the  salaries  of  chief  justice,  judges, 
attorneys  and  solicitors-general,  reporters,  munici 
pal-courts,  police-courts,  &c.  as  complete  as  it  has 
been  in  my  power  to  make  it  at  present,  by  which 


155 

it  appears  that  the  average  annual  expense  to  the 
country  for  the  state  judiciary  is  about  395,866 
dollars.  If  we  allow  90,000/.  for  this  item,  it  will 
certainly  not  be  underrating  it. 

Although  the  magistrates  are  paid  by  fees,  yet 
they  are  so  low,  that  we  may  very  safely  estimate 
the  usual  fees  of  clerks  of  the  peace  and  petty  law- 
officers  in  this  country,  as  being  more  than  equiva 
lent  to  them. 

The  principal  sources  of  revenue  in  the  United 
States,  are  the  imports,  the  public  lands,  and  bank 
dividends.  But  the  first  named  alone  will  be  suf 
ficient  to  meet  all  the  expenditure,  even  after  the 
sale  of  bank-stock  proposed  by  the  present  secre 
tary  of  the  treasury,  and  without  the  sums  hitherto 
derived  from  the  sale  of  public  lands. 

Among  the  less  prominent  sources  of  revenue  of 
the  United  States,  there  are  some  that  deserve 
notice  from  their  daily  increasing  importance,  if 
not  from  their  present  value.  The  gold  mines, 
the  sugar  plantations,  the  cultivation  of  vineyards, 
and  the  production  of  silk  manufactures,  &c.  are 
worthy  of  attention  in  forming  an  estimate  of  the 
financial  prospects  of  the  United  States. 

The  public  lands  were  very  early  looked  to  as  a 
source  of  revenue  to  the  country.  As  early  as 
1776,  Silas  Deane,  then  a  political  and  commercial 


156 

agent  of  the  United  States  in  France,  communicated 
to  congress  a  plan  for  the  sale  and  settlement  of  the 
territory  north-west  of  the  Ohio ;  and,  as  has  been 
already  observed,  the  calculations  of  the  future 
value  of  this  region  formed  the  first  great  subject 
of  collision  between  the  several  states  of  the  con 
federacy.  It  was,  however,  a  long  time  before  an 
effective  system  was  devised,  by  which  the  lands 
could  be  thrown  open  to  settlement,  or  made 
available  for  the  purpose  of  revenue. 

Bounty-lands  having  been  promised  by  the  con 
tinental  congress  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the 
continental  army,  it  became  necessary  to  redeem 
that  pledge  as  early  as  possible.  The  controversies 
between  the  several  states,  and  between  them  and 
the  United  States,  retarded  for  some  time  the  ful 
filment  of  this  pledge.  On  the  20th  May  1785, 
an  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  congress  of  the  con 
federation,  for  ascertaining  the  mode  of  disposing 
of  lands  in  the  western  territory,  and  this  was  the 
first  act  of  general  legislation  on  the  subject.  This 
act  may  be  found  in  the  new  edition  of  the  Land 
Laws,  page  349.  Under  it  very  limited  sales  were 
made,  not  amounting,  in  the  whole,  to  more  than 
121,540  acres. 

Subsequently  different  sales  were  effected  in  pro 
portion  as  lands  were  ceded  to  the  United  States 


157 

by  any  of  the  individual  states.  Pennsylvania  be 
came  a  purchaser,  and  the  Ohio  Land  Company 
also  became  large  buyers  to  the  amount  of  two 
millions  of  acres,  afterwards  reduced  by  agreement 
to  one  million ;  they  paid  two-thirds  of  a  dollar  per 
acre.  This  company  originated  in  Massachusetts, 
and  commenced  the  settlement  of  Ohio  (then  an 
uninhabited  wilderness)  in  1788;  it  now  supports 
a  population  of  about  1,000,000.  Another  sale 
was  effected  by  an  individual,  named  J.  Symmes, 
of  between  2  and  300,000  acres.  He  succeeded 
perfectly  in  settling  the  territory  north-west  of  the 
Ohio. 

But  it  wras  not  till  1802  that  the  many  and  trou 
blesome  controversies  that  took  place  between  the 
general  government  and  the  different  states  on  the 
subject  of  the  public  lands  were  amicably  adjusted. 
North  Carolina  ceded  to  the  United  States  the 
tract  of  country  now  forming  the  state  of  Tennessee, 
in  1789;  and  Georgia,  after  much  embarrassing  dis 
cussion,  was  the  last  to  enter  into  the  arrangement 
with  the  United  States,  by  ceding  that  territory, 
now  forming  the  states  of  Alabama  and  Mississippi ; 
the  United  States  contracting  to  extinguish  the  In 
dian  title  to  lands  within  the  limits  of  Georgia? 
"  as  soon  as  it  could  be  done  peaceably,  and  on  rea 
sonable  terms." 


158 

Some  account  of  the  mode  in  which  the  public 
lands  are  disposed  of  in  the  United  States  may  not 
be  uninteresting*  at  a  moment  when  emigration  is 
hourly  increasing  to  our  American  colonies  and  the 
United  States. 

On  the  10th  of  May  1800,  an  act  of  congress 
was  passed,  laying  the  foundation  of  the  land  system 
as  it  now  exists.  It  has  received  several  modifica 
tions  at  subsequent  periods,  two  of  wrhich  are  of 
great  importance,  and  will  presently  be  stated. 

Under  this  law,  the  substantial  features  of  the 
land  system  of  the  United  States  are  the  following : 

All  the  lands,  before  they  are  offered  for  sale,  are 
surveyed  on  a  rigidly  accurate  plan,  at  the  expense 
of  the  government.  This  is  the  corner-stone  of  the 
system.  In  this  consists  its  great  improvement 
upon  the  land-system  of  Virginia,  according  to  which 
warrants  wrere  granted  to  those  entitled  to  receive 
them,  for  tracts  of  unsurveyed  public  land.  These 
warrants  might  be  located  on  any  land  riot  previously 
appropriated.  In  the  absence  of  geometrical  sur 
veys,  it  was  difficult,  by  natural  boundaries,  Indian 
paths,  and  buffalo  traces,  to  identify  the  spots  ap 
propriated  ;  the  consequence  was,  that  numerous 
warrants  were  laid  on  the  same  tract,  conflicting 
claims  arose,  and  the  land  titles  of  the  country  were 
brought  into  a  state  of  the  most  perplexing  and  in- 


159 

jurious  embarrassment.  The  state  of  Kentucky, 
and  that  portion  of  Ohio,  allotted  as  bounty-lands 
to  the  Virginia  troops,  have  constituted  one  great 
theatre  of  litigation  from  their  first  settlement. 
On  the  other  hand,  land  titles  acquired  under  the 
system  of  the  United  States,  are  almost  wholly  ex 
empt  from  controversies  arising  from  uncertainty 
of  location  or  boundary. 

The  surveys  of  the  public  lands  of  the  United 
States  are  founded  upon  a  series  of  true  meridians. 
The  first  principal  meridian  is  in  Ohio,  the  second 
in  Indiana,  the  third  in  Illinois,  &c.,  each  forming 
the  base  of  a  series  of  surveys,  of  which  the  lines 
are  made  to  correspond,  so  that  the  whole  country 
is  at  last  divided  into  squares  of  one  mile  each,  and 
townships  of  six  miles  each ;  and  these  subdivisions 
are  distributed  with  mathematical  accuracy  into 
parallel  ranges.  The  greatest  division  of  land 
marked  out  by  the  survey  is  called  a  township, 
and  contains  23,040  acres,  being  six  English  or 
American  square  miles.  The  township  is  subdi 
vided  into  thirty-six  equal  portions  or  square  miles, 
by  lines  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles ;  these 
portions  are  called  sections.  The  section  contains 
640  acres,  and  is  subdivided  into  four  parts,  called 
quarter  sections,  each  of  which,  of  course,  contains 
160  acres.  The  quarter  sections  are  finally  di- 


160 

vided  into  two  parts,  called  half  quarter  sections,  of 
eighty  acres  each,  and  this  is  the  smallest  regular 
subdivision  known  to  the  system.  The  sectional 
and  quarter  sectional  divisions  are  designated  by 
appropriate  marks  in  the  field,  which  are  of  a  char 
acter  to  be  easily  distinguished  from  each  other. 
The  half  quarter  sections  are  not  marked  in  the 
field,  but  are  designated  on  the  plan*  or  map  of 
the  survey,  by  the  surveyor-general  marking  the 
distance  on  one  of  the  ascertained  lines,  in  order  to 
get  the  quantity  of  such  half  quarter  sections  as  ex 
hibited  by  his  plan  of  survey.  The  fractional 
sections,  wrhich  contain  less  than  160  acres,  are  not 
subdivided :  the  fractional  sections,  which  contain 
160  acres  and  upwards,  are  subdivided  in  such  man 
ner  as  to  preserve  the  most  compact  and  convenient 
forms. 

A  series  of  contiguous  townships,  laid  off  from 
north  to  south,  is  called  a  range.  The  ranges  are 
numbered  north  and  south  from  the  base  or  stand 
ing  line  running  due  east  and  west.  They  are 
counted  from  the  standard  meridian  east  and  west. 

The  dividing  lines  of  the  sections,  of  course,  run 
by  the  cardinal  points,  except  where  what  is  called 
a  fractional  section  is  created  by  a  navigable  river 

*  Termed  "  plot"  in  the  American  authority. 


161 

or  an  Indian  boundary.     The  superintendence  of 
the  surveys  is  committed  to  five  surveyors-general. 
One  thirty-sixth  part  of  all  the  land  surveyed,  being 
section  number  sixteen  in  each  township,  is  reserved 
from  sale  for  the  support  of  schools  in  the  township, 
and  other  reservations  have  been  made  for  colleges 
and  universities.      All  salt  springs  and  lead  mines 
are  also  reserved,  and  are  subject  to  be  leased  under 
the  direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
Whenever  the  public  interest  is  supposed  to  require 
that  a  certain  portion  of  territory  should  be  brought 
into  market,  for  the  accommodation  of  settlers  or 
others  who  may  wish  to  become  purchasers,  the 
president  issues  instructions  to  the  surveyor-gene 
ral,  through  the  commissioner  of  the  general  land 
office  at  Washington,  to  have  such  portion  of  ter 
ritory    surveyed.      The    surveyor-general    makes 
this  requisition  publicly  known  to  those  individuals 
who  are  in  the  habit  of  contracting  for  public  sur 
veys;  and  a  contract  for  the  execution  of  the  surveys 
required  is  entered  into  between  the  surveyor-gene 
ral  and  deputy  surveyors.     The  contract  is  given 
to  the  lowest  bidder,  provided  the  surveyor-general 
be  fully  satisfied  of  his  capacity  to  fulfil  the  contract. 
The  maximum  price  established  by  law  for  exe 
cuting  the  public  surveys  is  three  dollars  a  mile, 
in  the  upland  and  prairie  countries.     In  the  south- 


162 

era  parts  of  the  United  States,  where  the  surveys 
are  rendered  difficult  by  the  occurrence  of  bayous, 
lakes,  swamps,  and  cane-brakes,  the  maximum  price 
established  by  law  is  four  dollars  a  mile. 

The  deputy  surveyors  are  bound  by  their  con 
tract  to  report  to  the  surveyor-general  the  field- 
notes  of  the  survey  of  each  township,  together  with 
a  plot  of  the  township.  From  these  field-notes  the 
surveyor-general  is  enabled  to  try  the  accuracy  of 
the  plot  returned  by  the  deputy  surveyor,  and  of 
th£  calculations  of  the  quantity  in  the  legal  sub 
divisions  of  the  tract  surveyed.  From  these  docu 
ments  three  plans  or  maps  are  caused  to  be  pre 
pared  by  the  surveyor-general  5  one  for  his  own 
office ;  one  for  the  register  of  the  proper  land  office, 
to  guide  him  in  the  sale  of  the  land ;  and  the  third 
for  the  commissioner  of  the  general  land  office  at 
Washington.  The  government  has  generally  found 
it  expedient  to  authorise  the  surveying  of  forty 
townships  of  land  annually,  in  each  land  district, 
so  as  to  admit  of  two  sales  by  public  auction  annu 
ally,  of  twenty  townships  each. 

The  general  land  office  at  Washington  is  under 
the  superintendence  of  an  officer  called  commiss 
ioner  of  the  general  land  office.  It  is  subordinate 
to  the  treasury  department. 

The  public  lands  are  laid  off  into  districts,  in 


163 

each  of  which  there  is  a  land  office,  under  the  super 
intendence  of  two  officers,  appointed  by  the  presi 
dent  and  senate,  called  the  register  of  the  land 
office,  and  the  receiver  of  public  moneys.  There 
are  at  present  forty-two  land  officers.  The  register 
and  the  receiver  each  receive  a  salary  of  five  hun 
dred  dollars  per  annum,  and  a  commission  of  one 
per  cent  on  the  moneys  paid  into  their  office. 

Till  1820  a  credit  was  allowed  on  all  purchases 
of  public  lands :  in  consequence  of  this  system,  large 
quantities  of  land  had  been  purchased  on  specula 
tion  :  and  also  in  the  ordinary  course  of  purchases  a 
vast  amount  of  land-debt  to  the  government  had 
been  contracted.  To  relieve  the  embarrassed  con 
dition  of  these  debtors,  an  act  was  passed,  authoriz 
ing  the  relinquishment  of  lands  purchased,  and  sub 
stituting  cash  payments  for  the  credit  system.  The 
most  beneficial  effects  have  resulted  from  this 
change,  apart  from  the  relief  of  those  who  were 
indebted  to  the  government :  at  the  same  time  the 
minimum  price  of  the  land  was  reduced  from  two 
dollars  to  one  dollar  and  twenty-five  cents  an  acre. 
In  the  first  instance  the  public  lands  are  offered  for 
sale,  under  proclamations  of  the  president,  by  public 
auction,  with  the  limitation  of  the  minimum  rate. 
Lands  not  thus  sold  are  afterwards  subject  to  entry 
at  private  sale,  and  at  the  minimum  price. 


164 

A  very  large  amount  of  public  land  is  in  the 
occupation  of  persons  who  have  settled  upon  it 
without  title.  This  is  frequently  done  in  conse 
quence  of  unavoidable  delays  in  bringing  the  land 
into  market,  and  not  from  any  intention,  on  the 
part  of  the  settler,  to  delay  payment.  Laws  have 
been  passed  granting  to  settlers  of  this  description 
a  pre-emptive  right  in  the  acquisition  of  a  title ; 
that  is,  the  preference  over  all  other  persons,  in 
entering  the  land,  at  private  sale.  These  laws  afford 
the  actual  settler  no  protection  against  those  who 
might  choose  to  over-bid  him  at  the  public  sales ; 
but  it  is  believed  that  in  most  cases,  by  mutual 
agreement  among  purchasers,  -the  actual  settler  is 
enabled  to  obtain  his  land,  even  at  public  sale,  at  the 
minimum  price.  It  is  stated,  however,  that  great 
injury  is  done  to  the  settlers  by  combinations  of 
land  speculators,  who  infest  the  public  sales,  pur 
chasing  the  lands  at  the  minimum  price,  and  com 
pelling  bonafule  settlers  to  take  them  at  an  enhanced 
valuation.  Should  the  settler  refuse  such  an  agree 
ment,  the  speculators  enter  into  competition  with 
him  at  the  sale.  On  the  whole,  it  would  appear 
that,  on  an  average,  the  government  obtains  but  the 
minimum  price  for  its  lands,  although  the  quantity 
actually  sold  and  occupied,  being  the  choice  of  the 


165 

whole  quantity  brought  into  market,  is  of  course 
worth  much  more. 

It  has  been  suggested,  and  with  an  appearance 
of  justice,  that  the  price  of  the  public  lands  is  too 
high.  The  government,  having  already  reimbursed 
itself  for  the  cost  of  them,  cannot  be  considered  as 
having  any  other  duty  to  perform  than  to  promote 
their  settlement  as  rapidly  as  it  can  take  place  by 
a  healthy  process,  and  to  meet  the  wishes  of  all 
who  desire  bonafiile  to  occupy  them.  Considering 
the  class  of  men  most  likely  to  take  the  lead  in 
settling  a  new  country,  one  hundred  dollars  (the 
price  of  a  half  quarter-section)  paid  in  cash  to  the 
government,  is  a  tax  too  heavy,  perhaps,  for  the 
privilege  of  taking  up  a  farm  in  an  unimproved 
wilderness.  The  price  is  already  too  low  to  op 
pose  a  serious  obstacle  to  speculation :  a  considerable 
reduction  of  it  would  not,  probably,  increase  that 
evil,  while  it  would  essentially  relieve  the  bona  fide 
settler.  There  would,  in  fact,  perhaps,  be  little  else 
to  object  to  a  plan  of  gratuitous  donation  of  a  half- 
quarter  section  to  actual  settlers,  than  the  compara 
tive  injustice  of  such  a  plan  towards  those  settlers 
who  have  already  purchased  their  farms. 

A  novel  and  singular  claim  has  been  set  up  in 
some  of  the  new  states  to  the  entire  property  of  the 
public  lands  within  their  limits,  The  nature  of 


166 

this  work  does  not  require  an  examination  of  this 
claim ;  to  enforce  which  no  attempt  has  as  yet  been 
practically  made. 

It  ought  to  be  observed,  that  five  per  cent  on  all 
the  sales  of  public  lands  within  the  states  severally 
is  reserved ;  three-fifths  of  which  are  to  be  expended 
by  congress,  in  making  roads  leading  to  the  states ; 
and  two-fifths  to  be  expended  by  the  states  in  the 
encouragement  of  learning.  The  first  part  of  this 
reservation  has  been  expended  on  the  Cumberland 
road;  and  the  treasury  of  the  United  States  is 
greatly  in  advance  to  that  fund,  on  account  of  this 
public  work. 

The  total  number  of  acres  belonging  to  the 
United  States  is  1,062,463,171. 

But  the  mode  of  disposing  of  the  public  lands, 
if  their  sale  for  the  profit  of  the  government  te 
dispensed  with,  may  give  rise  to  much  difficulty,  in 
seeking  to  reconcile  the  interests  of  the  United 
States  with  those  of  each  of  the  states  of  the  union. 
On  this  important  point,  Mr  M'Lane,  with  his 
usual  ability,  thus  observes : — 

"It  must  be  admitted  that  the  public  lands  were 
ceded  by  the  states,  or  subsequently  acquired  by 
the  United  States,  for  the  common  benefit ;  and  that 
each  state  has  an  interest  in  their  proceeds  of  which 
it  cannot  be  justly  deprived.  Over  this  part  of  the 


167 

public  property  the  powers  of  the  general  govern 
ment  have  been  uniformly  supposed  to  have  a  pecu 
liarly  extensive  scope,  and  have  been  construed  to 
authorise  their  application  to  purposes  of  education 
and  improvement  to  which  other  branches  of  reve 
nue  were  not  deemed  applicable.  It  is  not  practi 
cable  to  keep  the  public  lands  out  of  the  market ; 
and  the  present  mode  of  disposing  of  them  is  not 
believed  to  be  the  most  profitable,  either  to  the 
general  government  or  to  the  states ;  and  must  be 
expected,  when  the  proceeds  shall  be  no  longer 
required  for  the  public  debt,  to  give  rise  to  new 
and  more  serious  objections." 

"  Under  these  circumstances,  it  is  submitted  to 
the  wisdom  of  congress  to  decide  upon  the  propriety 
of  disposing  of  all  the  public  lands,  in  the  aggregate, 
to  those  states,  within  whose  territorial  limits  they 
lie,  at  a  fair  price,  to  be  settled  in  such  a  manner 
as  might  be  satisfactory  to  all.  The  aggregate 
price  of  the  whole  may  then  be  apportioned  among 
the  several  states  of  the  union,  according  to  such 
equitable  ratio  as  maybe  consistent  with  the  objects 
of  the  original  cession  ;  and  the  proportion  of  each 
may  be  paid  or  secured  directly  to  the  others  by 
the  respective  states  purchasing  the  land.  All 
cause  of  difficulty  with  the  general  government, 
on  this  subject,  would  then  be  removed ;  and  no 


168 

doubt  can  be  entertained,  that,  by  means  of  stock 
issued  by  the  buying  states,  bearing  a  moderate  in 
terest,  and  which,  in  consequence  of  the  reimburse 
ment  of  the  public  debt,  would  acquire  a  great 
value,  they  would  be  able  at  once  to  pay  the  amount 
upon  advantageous  terms.  It  may  not  be  unrea 
sonable  also  to  expect,  that  the  obligation  to  pay 
the  annual  interest  upon  the  stock  thus  created, 
would  diminish  the  motive  for  selling  the  lands  at 
prices  calculated  to  impair  the  greater  value  of  that 
kind  of  property." 

"  It  is  believed,  moreover,  that  the  interests  of 
the  several  states  would  be  better  promoted  by  such 
a  disposition  of  the  public  domain,  than  by  sales  in 
the  mode  hitherto  adopted ;  and  it  would,  at  once, 
place  at  the  disposal  of  all  the  states  of  the  union, 
upon  fair  terms,  a  fund  for  the  purposes  of  educa 
tion  and  improvement,  of  inestimabl'  benefit  to  the 
future  prosperity  of  the  nation."  -See  Report  on 
the  Finances  of  the  United  States,  of  Dec.  1831. 

The  above  details,  principally  from  the  Ameri 
can  Almanac,  are  compiled  from  and  collated  with 
the  Land  Laws  published  by  congress ;  Report  from 
the  Treasury  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States, 
February  1827;  Report  of  a  Select  Committee  of 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States, 
1829;  North  American  Review;  American  Quar 
terly;  Seybert's  Statistics,  &c.  &c. 


169 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Gold  Mines. — Mint. 

GOLD  has  hitherto,  I  believe,  been  discovered  only 
in  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina,  Virginia  and 
Georgia,  at  least  in  any  quantity. 

The  first  notice  of  gold,  from  North  Carolina, 
on  the  records  of  the  mint,  occurs  in  the  year 
1814,  during  which  it  was  received  to  the  amount 
of  11,000  dollars.  It  continued  to  be  received 
during  the  succeeding  years,  until  1824  inclusive, 
in  different  quantities,  but  all  inferior  to  that  of 
1814,  and  on  an  average  not  exceeding  2500 
dollars  a  year.  In  1825,  the  amount  received  was 
17,000  dollars;  in  1826,  20,000  dollars;  in  1827, 
about  21,000  dollars;  in  1828,  nearly  46,000  dol 
lars;  and  in  1829,  128,000  dollars.* 

In  1825,  there  was  published  in  the  "  American 
Journal  of  Science  and  the  Arts,"  an  account  of 
these  mines  by  Professor  Olmsted,  who  estimated 
the  gold  country  at  only  1000  square  miles;  but 
it  has  since  been  found  to  be  vastly  more  extensive ; 

*  Vide  American  Journal  of  Science  and  the  Arts. 
W 


170 

and  a  succession  of  gold  mines  has  been  discovered 
in  the  country  lying  to  the  east  of  the  Blue  Ridge, 
extending  from  the  vicinity  of  the  river  Potomac 
into  the  State  of  Alabama.  These  mines  are  now 
wrought,  to  a  greater  or  less  extent,  in  the  states  of 
Virginia,  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina  and 
Georgia. 

In  an  account  of  a  Tour  in  North  Carolina,  pub 
lished  in  a  New  York  Journal,  there  is  mention 
made  of  the  gold  mines.  From  this  writer  we  learn 
that  the  state  is  rich  in  gold  mines.  The  gold  is 
far  more  extensive  in  that  state  than  is  generally 
supposed;  it  commences  in  Virginia,  and  extends 
south-west  through  North  Carolina,  nearly  in  the 
middle  of  the  state  as  regards  its  length ;  along  the 
northern  part  of  South  Carolina  into  Georgia,  and 
thence  north-westwrardly  into  Alabama,  and  ends 
in  Tennessee.  The  mines  in  North  Carolina  and 
Georgia  are  now  worked  to  a  great  extent ;  those 
of  Virginia  and  South  Carolina  to  a  small  extent  • 
and  those  in  Tennessee  have  not  been  worked  at 
all,  although  it  is  probable  that  they  will  be  soon. 
In  this  state,  the  counties  of  Burke  and  Rutherford 
contains  the  bestgoW  washings,  as  they  are  called ; 
that  is,  the  gold  there  is  found  in  small  and  pure 
particles  mixed  with  the  sand,  which  lies  in  depo 
sits,  as  if  it  occupied  (as  the  miners  believe)  the 
beds  of  what  were  once  streams  of  water,  creeks, 


171 

rivers,  &c.  The  gold  is  there  obtained  by  washing 
away  the  sand,  and  it  is  a  simple  process.  But  the 
counties  of  Mecklenburg,  Rowan,  Davidson  and 
Cabarras,  are  the  richest  in  what  may  be  properly 
called  gold  mines;  that  is,  where  the  gold  is  found 
in  ore,  and  not  distinguishable  by  the  eye,  and 
which  is  separated  by  smelting,  using  quicksilver 
for  the  purpose  of  detaching  the  gold  from  the  gross 
earthy  substances.  This  is  done  by  first  pounding 
the  ore  (what  the  miners  call  stamping  it),  then 
grinding  it,  mixed  with  the  quicksilver,  to  a  fine 
powder  (like  flour),  and  afterwards  distilling  the 
whole  in  an  alembic,  which  separates  the  quick 
silver  from  the  gold.  This  part  of  the  business  is 
simple  and  easy ;  but  to  become  an  expert  and  skil 
ful  miner,  to  detect  gold  in  the  ore  with  certainty, 
and  to  know  how  to  conduct,  if  I  may  say  so,  the 
perforations,  that  is,  sinking  shafts  (like  wells),  and 
forming  and  fortifying  galleries  or  horizontal  per 
forations  to  reach  the  veins,  &c.  requires  great  in 
genuity  as  well  as  experience. 

The  best  veins  of  gold  are  not  horizontal,  nor 
often  vertical,  but  have  a  dip  of  forty-five  degrees 
to  the  horizon.  They  vary  in  width  from  a  few 
inches  to  several  feet.  They  are  not  confined  to 
hills  at  all,  but  are  found  also  in  the  low  lands. 
These  veins  are  often  parallel  to  each  other  at  un- 


172 

equal  distances.  Their  depth  in  most  places  has 
not  been  ascertained.  There  have  been  no  shafts 
sunk  lower  than  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet. 
In  some  of  the  mines  the  galleries,  or  lateral  per 
forations  (or  arched  entries,  as  they  may  be  called), 
extend  a  great  distance  in  various  directions  from 
the  main  shafts,  and  so  reach  the  veins.  They  are 
usually  about  twenty  feet,  one  above  another,  which 
enables  the  miners  to  work  with  the  greatest  ad 
vantage. 

These  mines  have  not  been  worked  to  any  con 
siderable  extent  for  more  than  about  five  or  six 
years,  or  probably  much  less.     And  yet  many  of 
them  are  worked  upon  an  extensive  scale,  and  mills 
for  grinding  the  ore,  propelled  by  water  or   by 
steam,  are  erected  in  vast  numbers.     The  company 
of  Messrs  Bissels,  which  is  one  of  the  most  con 
siderable,  employs  about  600  hands.     The  whole 
number  of  men  now  employed  at  the  mines   in 
these  southern   states  is   at   least   20,000.      The 
weekly  value  of  these  mines  is  estimated  at  100,000 
dollars,  or  more  than  one  million  sterling  annually. 
But  a  small  part  of  the  gold  is  sent  to  the  United 
States'  mint.     By  far  the  larger  part   is  sent  to 
Europe,  particularly  to  Paris. 

Of  the  working  miners  the  greater  number  are 


173 

foreigners — Germans,  Swiss,  Swedes,  Spaniards, 
English,  Welsh,  Scotch,  &c.  There  are  no  less 
than  thirteen  different  languages  spoken  at  the 
mines  in  this  state !  And  men  are  flocking  to  the 
mines  from  all  parts,  and  find  ready  employment. 
Hundreds  of  land-owners  and  renters  work  the 
mines  on  their  grounds  on  a  small  scale,  not  being 
able  to  encounter  the  expense  of  much  machinery. 
The  state  of  morals  among  the  miners  or  labourers 
is  represented  to  be  deplorably  bad.  This  maybe 
attributed  to  the  absence  of  any  general  organiza 
tion  as  yet  for  the  police  and  regulation  of  the  mines, 
combined  with  the  usual  effects  of  gold  upon  the 
uneducated  and  needy  classes  of  men  (often  not  the 
most  favourable  specimens  of  their  various  nations), 
who  generally  seek  employment  in  the  gold  dis 
tricts.  The  village  of  Charlotte,  in  Mecklenburg 
county,  is  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  several  of 
the  largest  mines.  It  is  increasing  rapidly. 

One  interesting  fact  deserves  mention : — when 
speaking  of  the  gold  mines,  there  are  indubitable 
evidences  that  these  mines  were  known  and  worked 
by  the  aboriginal  inhabitants,  or  some  other  people, 
at  a  remote  period.  Many  pieces  of  machinery 
which  were  used  for  this  purpose  have  been  found. 
Among  them  are  several  crucibles  of  earthenware, 


174 

and  far  better  than  those  now  in  use.  Messrs 
Bissels  have  tried  three  of  them,  and  found  that 
they  lasted  twice  or  three  times  as  long  as  even  the 
Hessian  crucibles,  which  are  the  best  now  made. 
It  is  to  be  regretted  that  some  antiquarian  has  not 
had  an  opportunity  of  at  least  examining  these 
curious  relics ;  and  it  is  hoped  that  they  will  be 
preserved  in  future,  notwithstanding  the  temptation 
offered  by  their  superior  qualities. 

These  gold  mines  prove  that  the  whole  region 
in  which  they  abound  was  once  under  the  powerful 
action  of  fire.  And  it  is  a  fact,  not  generally 
known,  that  the  miners  who  have  come  from  the 
mines  in  South  America  and  in  Europe,  pronounce 
this  region  to  be  more  abundant  in  gold  than  any 
other  that  has  been  found  on  the  globe.  There  is 
no  telling  the  extent  of  these  mines  :  but  sufficient 
is  knowrn  to  prove  they  are  of  vast  extent. 

It  is  not  easy  to  ascertain  the  number  of  mines 
which  are  now  opened ;  it  is,  however,  very  great, 
and  constantly  increasing.  These  mining  establish 
ments  are  of  every  variety  as  to  extent  of  operations. 

There  is  a  vast  amount  of  capital  invested  by  the 
different  companies  which  are  now  embarked  in 
this  business.  A  large  portion  of  this  capital  be 
longs  to  foreigners. 

Since  the  year  1827,  the  gold  mines  of  Virginia 


175 

have  also  attracted  considerable  attention.  The  belt 
of  country  in  which  they  are  found  extends  through 
Spotsylvania  and  some  neighbouring  counties.  The 
gold  region  abounds  in  quartz,  which  contains  cubes 
of  sulphuret  of  iron.  These  cubes  are  often  partly 
or  totally  decomposed,  and  the  cells  thus  created 
are  sometimes  filled  with  gold.  The  gold  is  found 
on  the  surface,  and  in  the  structure  of  quartz;  but 
in  greatest  abundance  resting  upon  slate,  and  in  its 
fissures.  The  gold  is  diffused  over  large  surfaces, 
and  has  not  yet  been  found  sufficiently  in  mass, 
except  in  a  few  places,  to  make  mining  profitable. 
The  method  of  obtaining  the  metal  is  by  filtration, 
or  washing  the  earth,  and  by  an  amalgam  of  quick 
silver.  The  average  value  of  the  earth  yielding 
gold  is  stated  at  twenty  cents  a  bushel. 

In  the  annual  report  for  1829,  the  progressive 
development  of  the  gold  region  of  the  United  States 
was  illustrated  by  referring  to  the  increase  of  the 
annual  receipts  from  North  Carolina,  which,  pre 
vious  to  1824,  had  been  inconsiderable,  but  from 
that  year  to  1829,  inclusive,  had  advanced  from 
5000  dollars  to  128,000  dollars;  and  also  to  the 
then  novel  occurrence  of  gold  having  been  received 
at  the  mint  from  Virginia  and  South  Carolina, 
about  2500  dollars  having  been  received  from  the 
former  and  3500  dollars  from  the  latter.  The 


176 

year  1830  exhibits,  in  relation  to  all  these  states, 
a  conspicuous  increase  in  the  production  of  gold, 
and  presents  also  the  remarkable  fact  of  £12,000 
dollars  in  gold  received  from  Georgia,  from  which 
state  no  specimen  thereof  had  been  received  at  the 
mint  in  any  previous  year. 

The  following  statement,  taken  from  the  report 
of  the  director  of  the  mint,  January  1,  1831,  will 
show  the  amount  of  gold  received  from  the  differ 
ent  states,  as  well  as  that  from  other  countries,  in 
the  course  of  the  year  1830. 

The  coinage,  during  the  year  1830,  amounted  to 

Dollars. 

Gold  coins  .  .  643,105 

Silver  ditto  .  .         2,495,400 

Copper         .          .  .  17,115 


Total      .         3,155,620 


The  description  of  coins  was  as  follows : 

Dollars. 

Half  eagles  .  .  126,351  making  631,755 

Quarter  eagles  .  .  4,540         .  11,350 

Half  dollars  .  .  4,764,800         .  2,382  400 

Dimes      .  .  .  510,000         .  51,000 

Half  dimes  .  .  1,240,000         .  62,000 

Cents           .  .  .  1,711,500         .  17,115 


Total  number  of  pieces     .       8,357,191         Total     3,155,620 


177 

Of  the  gold  coined  in  the  course  of  1830,  there 
was  imported  from 

Dollars. 

Mexico  } 

South  America  >  about  .         .  125,000 
West  Indies      ) 

Africa             .  .  19,000 

United  States                 .  .  466,000 

Sources  not  ascertained  .  33,000 


Total    .        643,000 


Of  the  gold  found  in  the  United  States,  amount 
ing  in  value  to  about  100?000/.  sterling,  mentioned 
in  the  foregoing  statement,  there  came  from 

Dollars. 

Georgia,  about  .  .  212,000 

North  Carolina  -.  .  204,000 

South  Carolina  .  .  26,000 

Virginia          .  .  .  24,000 


Total  produce  in  the  United  States  466,000 


178 


CHAPTER   XVIIL 

Cultivation  of  sugar  in  Louisiana. — Florida.— Slavery. 

THE  whole  produce  of  sugar  in  Louisiana,  in  the 
year  1828,  has  been  stated  at  88,878  hogsheads  of 
1000  pounds  each.  The  number  of  sugar  estates 
above  700,  and  the  capital  invested  in  them  about 
forty-five  millions  of  dollars ;  but  every  year  the 
increasing  investments,  and  more  than  proportionate 
increase  in  the  quantity  of  sugar  made,  renders  this 
estimate  but  of  little  use  at  the  present  moment. 

In  Florida,  also,  the  cultivation  of  sugar  has  made 
great  progress.  I  am  indebted  to  the  kindness  of 
M.  Achille  Murat*  for  the  following  details  on  the 
sugar  cultivation  of  Florida ;  but  I  have  no  means 
at  present  of  ascertaining  the  amount  of  capital  now 
invested  in  the  cultivation  of  the  cane  of  that  state. 

It  would  appear  quite  certain  that  in  Florida, 
with  a  very  moderate  capital  and  some  prudence 
and  activity,  a  very  large  return  is  to  be  obtained 
for  money  invested  in  sugar  plantations  ;  and,  with 

*  M.  Achille  Murat,  it  may  be  recollected,  left  Europe  some 
years  ago,  and  purchased  land  in  Florida.  He  has  become  an 
adopted  citizen  of  the  United  States,  where  his  merit  and  abili 
ties  are  duly  appreciated. 


179 

perseverance,  a  large  fortune  may  be  realized  with 
comparative  certainty.  The  cultivation  of  sugar 
in  that  state  is  as  yet  in  its  infancy  ;  but  a  European 
can  with  difficulty  imagine  the  rapidity  with  wrhich 
improvements  take  place  in  the  United  States  gene 
rally  ;  and  where  the  cultivation  of  the  south  suc 
ceeds,  the  profits  are  still  more  encouraging  than  in 
the  slower  returns  of  northern  industry.  A  few 
years  ago  the  greater  part  of  Florida  was  almost  a 
wilderness  ;  now  Tallahassee  is  a  flourishing  town, 
and  great  part  of  the  state  owes  its  growing  pros 
perity,  as  I  am  informed,  to  the  cultivation  of  sugar. 

According  to  Colonel  Murat's  computation,  a  pur 
chase  of  240  acres  may  be  made  at  three  dollars  an 
acre ;  and  a  plantation  stocked  with  all  the  neces 
sary  tools,  provisions,  mules,  ploughs,  clothing  for 
the  negroes,  &c.  for  little  more  than  sfilOOO.  In 
this  sum  is  included  the  value  of  ten  slaves ;  for 
the  curse  of  slavery  attends^the  cultivation  of  sugar 
in  the  United  States,  as  elsewhere.  Let  us  hope 
that  it  may  be  practicable  at  a  future  time  to  con 
tinue  it  without  this  blot  upon  the  growing  fortunes 
of  America,  although  M.  Murat  certainly  holds  out 
little  prospect  of  such  a  consummation. 

With  this  moderate  outlay,  and  no  material  ad 
dition  to  it  for  the  space  of  three  or  four  years,  a 
return  of  nearly  100  per  cent  may  be  obtained. 


180 

/ 

Indeed,  land  may  be  purchased  at  half  the  sum 
mentioned  above,  if  at  a  distance  from  towns,  &c. ; 
and,  by  a  judicious  alternation  of  other  crops,  as  cot 
ton,  maize,  &c.  very  little  risk  or  expense  need  be 
incurred  by  the  cultivator. 

The  Americans  have  frequently  been  reproached 
for  suffering  the  continuance  of  slavery  for  one 
instant  after  the  declaration  of  independence.  It 
must  be  recollected  that  before  that  time  they  were 
not  allowed  to  abolish  it,  even  after  repeated  peti 
tions  to  that  effect  to  the  government  of  the  mother 
country. 

But  any  person  who  has  an  opportunity  of  ob 
serving  personally  the  effects  of  the  existence  of 
this  dreadful  evil  must,  I  think,  allow  that  a  sudden 
and  unprepared  emancipation  would  probably  be 
productive,  in  the  first  instance  at  least,  of  evils  a 
thousand-fold  greater  to  all  the  parties  concerned 
than  even  its  unmitigated  continuance.  It  is  not 
one  of  the  least  lamentable  effects  of  slavery,  that  it 
is  apt  to  unfit  both  the  oppressor*  and  the  victim 

*  I  use  not  these  terms  invidiously;  Captain  Hall,  M.  Vigne, 
and  many  succeeding  travellers,  bear  witness  to  the  general  kind 
ness  with  which  the  slaves  are  treated  in  the  United  States.  But 
it  is  a  system,  wherever  it  exists,  whose  whole  existence  rests 
upon  a  foundation  of  injustice,  outrage,  and  the  most  atrocious 
robbery,  that  of  the  liberty,  I  may  say  the  life  (or  its  usufruct) 
of  a  fellow-creature.  This  right  of  an  unoffending  individual  to 
his  liberty  may  be  disputed  by  those  who  argue  with  Dumont  as 


181 

for  a  different  state  of  things ;  and  as  a  question  of 
interest,  it  may  be  regarded  as  an  alternative  of 
wealth  and  power,  or  complete  ruin  to  the  slave- 
to  the  inherent  rights  of  our  nature,  and  would  make  them  depend 
upon  a  legal  title.  "  La  declaration  des  droits  peut  se  faire  apres 
la  constitution,  mais  non  pas  avant,  car  les  droits  existent  par  les 
lots,  et  ne  les  precedent  pas,"  &c.  Legislators,  he  asserts,  must 
not  be  tied  by  general  maxims  false  in  themselves.  Les  liommes 
naissent  libres  et  egaux,  cela  n'est  pas  vrai.  Us  ne  naissent  point 
libres,  au  contraire,  ils  naissent  dans  un  etat  de  faiblesse  et  de 
dependance  necessaire ;  egaux — ou  le  sont  ils  ?  ou  pourront  ils 
1'etre  ?  entend-t'on  1'egalite  de  fortune,  de  talent,  de  vertu,  d'in- 
dustrie,  de  condition?  le  mensonge  est  manifeste.  II  faut  des 
volumes  pourparvenir  a  donner  un  certain  sens  raisonnable  a  cette 
egalite,  que  vous  proclamez  sans  exception,"  &c.  &c. —  Vide  Du- 
montfs  Mirabeau,  French  edition,  p.  98. 

By  an  extension  of  this  principle  there  are  no  moral  or  personal 
rights  co-existent  with  our  being,  and  drawing  their  origin  from 
the  same  inscrutable  source  that  gives  us  life ;  but  they  depend 
entirely  on  the  law  of  the  land.  This  is  an  excellent  argument 
for  lawyers,  as,  carried  to  the  farthest  limit,  it  would  declare  that 
in  every  country,  whatever  may  be  the  nature  of  the  law,  if  it 
order  the  destruction  of  prisoners,  or  their  conversion  into  roast 
meat,  or  the  mastication,  by  instalments,  of  living  offenders  against 
the  rights  of  a  husband,  as  in  Sumatra;  in  short,  whatever  the  law 
decrees  becomes  alone  an  inherent  right. 

To  confine  ourselves,  however,  to  civilized  nations,  the  United 
States  cut  the  knot  at  once,  by  beginning  their  declaration  with 
a  formula,  that  legally  gives  this  right,  if  not  already  in  existence, 
and  slavery  is  a  continual  infraction  of  it,  not  legalized  by  the 
federal  union,  but  by  the  enactments  of  particular  states. 

Finally,  no  theory  has  been  more  misunderstood  than  that  of 
the  liberty  and  equality  of  men  subject  to  the  law,  in  America. 
No  constitution  can  render  the  fortunes,  conditions,  or  abilities 
of  men  equal,  any  more  than  it  can  make  any  two  persons  phy 
sically  or  morally  precisely  similar ;  or  two  leaves  of  the  same 
tree  perfectly  alike ;  nor  was  such  an  interpretation,  I  should 


182 

holders  in  many  cases.  Can  we  be  surprised  at 
the  obstacles  that  are  opposed  to  any  general  aboli 
tion  of  this  (almost  universally)  allowed  evil,  by 
those  states  of  America  whose  culture  and  existence 
seem  at  present  to  depend  on  it?  Let  us  turn 
from  what  must  unfortunately  be  regarded  for  the 
present  as  a  necessary  evil,  admitting  of  no  imme 
diate  remedy  that  human  prudence  can  adopt,  to 
consider  the  admirable  and  practicable  mode  in 
which  the  existence  of  slavery  has  been  done  away 
with  in  the  northern,  eastern,  and  other  considera 
ble  states  in  the  union — in  a  word,  in  its  most 

think,  ever  seriously  intended.  The  natural  differences  of  talent, 
person,  disposition,  &c.  produce  the  corresponding  distinctions 
among  men,  which  artificial  distinction  becomes  their  right,  by 
the  same  principle  that  secured  the  fruition  of  their  natural  ad 
vantages.  Certain  other  artificial  rights,  however,  depending 
upon  the  accidents  of  birth,  and  having  force  of  law  in  other 
countries,  are,  by  the  principles  dominant  in  the  United  States, 
abolished.  The  natural  dependence  of  man  in  infancy  on 
the  protection  of  his  parents  is  by  no  means  disturbed  by  the 
theory  of  political  independence.  This  helplessness  causes  the 
contraction  of  a  debt  of  reciprocity  of  the  good  offices  that  the 
child  receives  from  its  parents,  to  be  at  a  future  period  repaid 
when  the  infant  itself  becomes  a  parent.  The  rights  to  charitable 
protection  and  support  possessed  by  the  infirm  in  mind  or  body, 
depend  upon  a  similar  implied  mutuality  of  good  offices,  when 
ever  the  want  of  them  may  be  felt  by  those  by  whom  they  are  now 
conferred.  Revealed,  or  even  what  is  called  natural  religion, 
shows  that  these  common  rights  of  mankind  necessarily  exist,  at 
least  in  civilized  communities,  whether  before  or  after  the  creation 
of  a  legal  claim. 


183 

rapidly  improving  sections.  By  enacting  the  pros 
pective  emancipation  of  certain  slaves  at  fixed  pe 
riods,  and  the  birthright  of  liberty  to  those  born 
after  certain  terms,  slavery  has  disappeared  in  states 
where  it  formerly  extensively  existed:  and  this 
extinction  of  so  foul  a  stain  has  taken  place  without 
danger  or  difficulty,  by  the  present  mode  of  carry 
ing  it  into  execution.  It  may  be  in  my  power  at 
a  future  time  to  offer  some  observations  on  subjects 
connected  with  the  extinction  of  slavery,  which 
the  limits  arid  nature  of  this  work  preclude. 

A  serious  obstacle  to  the  advantageous  emancipa 
tion  of  negroes  in  the  United  States,  is  the  extraor 
dinary  prejudice  of  colour.  Europeans  can  hardly 
conceive  the  force  with  which  this  absurd  and  un 
just  prejudice  acts  in  America,  not  only  against 
those  whose  blood  is  unmixed,  but  against  those 
coloured  persons  whom  it  requires  much  experience, 
and  perhaps  legal  evidence  to  discover,  as  being 
under  the  ban  of  this  exclusive  aristocracy  of  com 
plexion  .  If  an  individual,  concentrating  the  wis 
dom  and  virtues  of  every  age  in  his  own  person, 
and  inheriting  the  qualities  of  a  Socrates,  an  Alfred, 
a  Gustavus  Vasa,  and  a  Washington  combined,  were 
born  with  a  negro  skin  in  the  United  States,  I  do 
not  think  that  he  would  ever  be  allowed  a  perfectly 
social  equality  with  a  white  scoundrel.  The  con- 


184 

sequence  of  this  artificial  and  unjust  social  degra 
dation  is  not  unfrequently  a  real  debasement,  which 
often  renders  the  free  coloured  population  compara 
tively  unprofitable  members  of  society. 

Those  who  have  the  interests  of  their  country  at 
heart,  and  look  with  a  prophetic  eye,  not  only  to 
the  interests  of  humanity,  but  to  those  of  policy, 
have  long  wished  to  do  away  with  so  great  a  source 
of  weakness  and  unhappiness  as  the  existence  of 
slavery  in  the  United  States,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  secure  for  those  emancipated  a  home,  where  the 
practice  of  the  principles  laid  down  by  the  declara 
tion  of  independence  will  not  be  at  variance  with 
its  theory.  With  this  view  the  establishment  of  a 
colony  was  proposed  so  early  as  the  year  1796,  by 
a  distinguished  Friend  or  Quaker,  named  Gerard 
Hopkins ;  but  it  did  not  produce  much  useful  effect 
until  General  C.  F.  Mercer,  the  Wilberforce  of  the 
American  Congress,  opened  a  correspondence  with 
the  philanthropists  of  the  different  states,  which 
led  to  the  formation  of  the  American  Colonization 
Society,  in  1817. 

"  The  great  objects  of  that  society,  were — the 
final  and  entire  abolition  of  slavery,  providing  for 
the  best  interests  of  the  blacks,  by  establishing  them 
in  independence  upon  the  coast  of  Africa,  thus 


185 

constituting  them  the  protectors  of  the  unfortunate 
natives  against  the  inhuman  ravages  of  the  slaver, 
and  seeking,  through  them,  to  spread  the  lights  of 
civilization  and  Christianity  among  the  fifty  mil 
lions  who  inhabit  those  dark  regions.  To  meet 
the  views  of  all  parties,  they  had  a  most  difficult 
path  to  tread ;  but  as  all  legislation  on  the  subject 
of  slavery  was  specially  reserved  to  the  respective 
states  by  the  Articles  of  Confederation,  and  had  be 
come  the  basis  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States^  they  very  wisely,  instead  of  denouncing  an 
evil  which  they  had  not  the  power  to  overthrow, 
had  recourse  to  the  more  sure,  but  gradual  mode  of 
removing  it,  by  enlightening  the  consciences,  and 
convincing  the  judgments,  of  the  slave-holders. 
Their  theory  is  justified  by  experience ;  for  while 
our  little  colony  has  grown  quite  as  fast  as  could 
be  wished  for  by  its  most  judicious  friends,  these 
principles  have  been  silently  gaining  ground  in  the 
slave  states,  yet  so  rapidly,  that  the  number  of  slaves 
offered  gratuitously  by  benevolent  owners,  exceed 
ten-fold  the  present  means  of  the  society  to  receive 
and  convey  them  to  Africa.  The  disposition  of 
Virginia  has  been  already  shown.  Delaware  and 
Kentucky  have  also  proved  their  anxiety  to  concur 
in  so  noble  a  cause;  and  Dr  Ayres,  the  earliest 
governor  of  Liberia,  now  resident  at  Maryland,, 


186 

asserts, c  that  owing  to  the  plans  and  principles  of 
colonization  being  better  understood,  in  less  than 
twenty  years  there  will  be  no  more  slaves  born  in 
that  state.' 

'•  A  party  in  South  Carolina  is  now  almost  the 
only  opponent  that  the  society  has  at  home ;  and, 
as  if  to  afford  the  most  incontestable  evidence  that 
its  plan  will  destroy  the  institution  of  slavery  in  the 
United  States,  they  ground  their  opposition  upon 
the  inevitable  tendency  of  colonization  to  eradicate 
slave-holding,  and  thereby  deprive  them  of  their 
property. 

"  But  if  the  present  means  of  the  society  are  in 
adequate  to  effect  its  purposes,  it  will  be  recollected 
that  only  eight  years  have  elapsed  since  Cape  Mes- 
surado,  then  a  mart  for  the  sale  of  10,000  fellow- 
creatures  annually,  was  purchased  from  the  natives ; 
that  unhallowed  traffic  has  been  entirely  destroyed ; 
a  flourishing  colony  of  2000  emancipated  slaves 
has  been  founded;  churches,  schools,  commerce, 
and  even  a  newspaper  established,  and  the  confi 
dence  of  the  aborigines  so  completely  won,  that 
10,000  of  them  are,  as  allies  of  this  new  republic, 
participating  in  the  blessings  of  civilization  and 
religion. 

"  The  feelings  of  these  happy  people  are  best 


187 

described  in  their  circular  to  the  people  of  colour  of 
the  United  States.  Knowing  that  in  the  infancy 
of  the  society  some  had  impugned  its  motives,  and 
others  doubted  its  success,  they  pointedly  observe 
— ^  judge,  then,  of  the  feelings  with  which  we  hear 
the  motives  and  doings  of  the  Colonization  Society 
traduced — and  that,  too,  by  men  too  ignorant  to 
know  what  the  society  had  accomplished — too  weak 
to  look  through  its  plans  and  intentions — or  too  dis 
honest  to  acknowledge  either.'  All  their  letters  unite 
in  grateful  thanks  for  the  great  blessings  conferred 
upon  them ;  and  even  greater  are  either  realizing, 
or  in  prospect,  for  the  savage  tribes  around.  All 
this  has  been  effected  for  the  small  sum  of  27,000/. ; 
and  its  friends,  at  first  but  few,  have  so  increased, 
in  number  and  confidence,  that  one  third  of  their 
total  receipts  accrued  during  the  last  year ;  several 
religious  bodies  have  given  it  their  earnest  and  unan 
imous  support;  thirteen  of  the  states  have  re 
commended  it  to  the  patronage  of  congress ;  and* 
on  the  elevation  of  its  champion,  the  Hon.  Henry 
Clay,  to  the  presidency,  there  cannot  be  a  doubt 
that  funds  adequate  to  the  fulfilment  of  this  glori 
ous  design  will  be  granted  by  the  general  govern 
ment. 

*  It  must  be  recollected  that  these  are  the  words  and  senti 
ments  of  the  editor  of  the  Report  of  the  Colonization  Society. 


188 

"  If  the  very  dregs  of  the  human  race  (the  slav 
ers)  can  drag  annually  from  Africa  100,000  unfor 
tunate  wretches,  will  it  be  doubted  that  the  ener 
gies  of  a  free  people  can  restore  half  as  many  of  her 
descendants,  when  prompted  alike  by  duty  and  in 
terest? — this,  in  a  few  years,  would  effect  a  cure 
of  the  evil  ? — the  sum  required  is  too  small  to  be 
an  obstacle.  It  has  been  shown  in  parliament  that 
during  the  last  twenty-four  years  about  8,000,000/. 
has  been  spent  upon  Sierra  Leone.  That  sum, 
divided  into  thirty  instalments,  would,  in  as  many 
years,  settle  our  whole  coloured  population  in  the 
land  of  their  ancestors.  Nor  can  it  fail  to  give  the 
society  increased  confidence  in  the  soundness  of 
their  own  system,  when  they  find  that  ministers 
have  announced  their  intention  of  regulating  the 
African  colonies  of  England  upon  the  same  plan, 
and  elevating  the  black  man,  by  conferring  upon 
his  race  the  principal  offices  of  the  different  posts. 
Neither  has  our  scheme  been  unsanctioned  by  the 
approval  of  some  of  the  best  men  of  Britain — Rich 
ard  Dykes  Alexander,  a  name  ever  prominent  in 
deeds  of  practical  philanthropy,  c  convinced  that  a 
more  rapid  progress  was  never  known  in  any  col 
ony  towards  comfort  and  respectability  than  that 
of  Liberia,  published  an  appeal  in  its  behalf;  in  con 
sequence  of  which,  the  following  sums  were  sent  to 
Barnetts,  Hoare  and  Co.,  62  Lombard-street,,  who 


189 

continue  to  act  as  bankers  to  the  fund,  viz."  (here 
follows  a  list  of  subscribers  to  assist  this  praise 
worthy  undertaking).  "Each  7/.  10s.  of  which 
not  only  secures  the  freedom  of  a  slave  and  pays 
his  passage  to  Africa,  but  constitutes  him  a  free 
holder  of  thirty  acres  of  fertile  land. 

"  Hence,  the  undersigned,  as  representative  of  the 
AMERICAN  COLONIZATION  SOCIETY,  feels  himself 
justified  in  drawing  the  same  conclusion,  which, 
he  believes,  the  wise  and  good  of  all  sects  and  all 
parties  in  the  United  States  have  arrived  at — that 
it  is  the  happy  means,  destined  by  a  kind  provi 
dence,  for  securing  to  Africa  the  fulfilment  of  the 
glorious  promises  in  her  behalf — by  effecting,  in 
the  mode  most  consistent  with  their  interest  and 
happiness,  the  freedom  of  her  coloured  population 
— et  pari  passu,  destroying  that  inhuman  traffic 
which  has  so  long  been  the  affliction  of  Africa, 
the  disgrace  of  Europe,  and  the  sourge  of  America. 

"  ELLIOTT  CRESSON." 

It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to  add  any  thing  to  the 
above  extract  to  show  the  views  and  principles  of 
this  excellent  and  practical  undertaking,  which  at 
a  comparatively  small  expense  has  effected  so  much 
without  the  assistance  of  any  government,  or  much 
loss  from  the  effects  of  a  climate,  to  which  the 
coloured  population  become  soon  habituated. 


190 

Some  idea  of  the  happy  effects  already  resulting 
from  this  undertaking,  may  be  formed  from  such 
quotations  as  this,  taken  by  chance  from  an  Ameri 
can  paper. 

"There  arrived  at  the  American  colony  in  Africa, 
from  the  9th  to  the  29th  of  January,  one  ship, 
seven  brigs,  and  three  schooners,  besides  vessels  be 
longing  to  the  colonists ;  among  them  were  a  brig 
from  France,  a  ship  from  Liverpool,  and  three  brigs 
and  a  schooner  from  the  United  States.  Some  of 
the  colonists  are  said  to  be  worth  from  10  to  15,000 
dollars."— AW.  Gazette,  April  1831. 

The  report*  of  the  American  Colonization  Soci 
ety  affords  ample  evidence  of  the  present  utility 
and  good  prospects  of  the  colonyf.  It  contains 

*  The  Reports  of  the  Pennsylvania  Colonization  Society  are  to 
be  found  at  Miller's  and  other  booksellers  in  London. 

t "  The  true  character  of  the  African  climate  is  not  well  under 
stood  in  other  countries.  Its  inhabitants  are  as  robust,  as  healthy, 
as  long-lived,  to  say  the  least,  as  those  of  any  other  country. 
Nothing  like  an  epidemic  has  ever  appeared  in  this  colony;  nor 
can  we  learn  from  the  natives,  that  the  calamity  of  a  sweeping 
sickness  ever  yet  visited  this  part  of  the  continent.  But  the 
change  from  a  temperate  to  a  tropical  country  is  a  great  one— • 
too  great  not  to  affect  the  health,  more  or  less — and,  in  the  case 
of  old  people,  and  very  young  children,  it  often  causes  death.  In 
the  early  years  of  the  colony,  want  of  good  houses,  the  great 
fatigues  and  dangers  of  the  settlers,  their  irregular  mode  of  living, 
and  the  hardships  and  discouragements  they  met  with,  greatly 
helped  the  other  causes  of  sickness,  which  prevailed  to  an  alarm- 


191 

also  a  speech  of  Mr  Clay's  on  this  subject,  highly 
worthy  of  perusal. 

ing  extent,  and  were  attended  with  great  mortality.  But  we 
look  back  to  those  times  as  to  a  season  of  trial  long  past,arid 
nearly  forgotten.  Our  houses  and  circumstances  are  now  com 
fortable  ;  and,  for  the  last  two  or  three  years,  not  one  person  in 
forty,  from  the  Middle  and  Southern  States,  has  died  from  the 
change  of  climate.  The  disastrous  fate  of  the  company  of  settlers 
who  came  out  from  Boston  in  the  brig  Vine,  eighteen  months 
ago,  is  an  exception  to  the  common  lot  of  emigrants,  and  the 
causes  of  it  ought  to  be  explained.  Those  people  left  a  cold 
region  in  the  coldest  part  of  winter,  and  arrived  here  in  the 
hottest  season  of  our  year.  Many  of  them  were  too  old  to  have 
survived  long  in  any  country.  They  most  imprudently  neglected 
the  prescriptions  of  our  very  successful  physician,  the  Rev.  Lot 
Carey,  who  has  great  experience  and  great  skill  in  the  fevers  of 
the  country,  and  depended  on  medicines  brought  with  them, 
which  could  not  fail  to  prove  injurious.  And,  in  consequence  of 
all  these  unfortunate  circumstances,  their  sufferings  were  severe, 
and  many  died.  But  we  are  not  apprehensive  that  a  similar 
calamity  will  befall  any  future  emigrants,  except  under  similar 
disadvantages. 

"  People  now  arriving  have  comfortable  houses  to  receive  them  ; 
will  enjoy  the  regular  attendance  of  a  physician  in  the  slight 
sickness  that  may  await  them;  will  be  surrounded  and  attended 
by  healthy  and  happy  people,  who  have  borne  the  effects  of  the 
climate,  and  who  will  encourage  and  fortify  them  against  that  des 
pondency  which,  alone,  has  carried  off  several  in  the  first  years 
of  the  colony. 

"  But  you  may  say,  that  even  health  and  freedom,  as  good  as 
they  are,  are  still  dearly  paid  for,  when  they  cost  you  the  com 
mon  comforts  of  life,  and  expose  your  wives  and  children  to 
famine,  and  all  the  evils  of  want  and  poverty.  We  do  not  dispute 
the  soundness  of  this  conclusion  either;  but  we  utterly  deny  that 
it  has  any  application  to  the  people  of  Liberia. 

"  Away  with  ail  the  false  notions  that  are  circulating  about  the 
barrenness  of  this  country:  they  are  the  observations  of  such 
ignorant  or  designing  men  as  would  injure  both  it  and  you.  A 


192 

The  penitentiary  system  of  the  United  States  is 
well  deserving  of  attention.     Although  the  peniten- 

more  fertile  soil,  and  a  more  productive  country,  so  far  as  it  is 
cultivated,  there  is  not,  we  believe,  on  the  face  of  the  earth.  Its 
hills  and  its  plains  are  covered  with  a  verdure  which  never  fades; 
the  productions  of  nature  keep  on  in  their  growth  through  all  the 
seasons  of  the  year.  Even  the  natives  of  the  country,  almost 
without  farming  tools,  without  skill,  and  with  very  little  labour, 
make  more  grain  and  vegetables  than  they  can  consume,  and 
often  more  than  they  can  sell. 

*'  Cattle,  swine,  fowls,  ducks,  goats  and  sheep,  thrive  without 
feeding,  and  require  no  other  care  than  to  keep  them  from  straying. 
Cotton,  coffee,  indigo,  and  the  sugar-cane,  are  all  the  spontaneous 
growth  of  our  forests;  and  may  be  cultivated,  at  pleasure,  to  any 
extent,  by  such  as  are  disposed.  The  same  may  be  said  of  rice, 
Indian-corn,  Guinea-corn,  millet,  and  too  many  species  of  fruits 
and  vegetables  to  be  enumerated.  Add  to  all  this,  we  have  no 
dreary  winter  here,  for  one  half  of  the  year  to  consume  the  produc 
tions  of  the  other  half.  Nature  is  constantly  renewing  herself,  and 
constantly  pouring  her  treasures,  all  the  year  round,  into  the  laps 
of  the  industrious.  We  could  say  on  this  subject  more;  but  we 
are  afraid  of  exciting,  too  highly,  the  hopes  of  the  imprudent.  It 
is  only  the  industrious  and  virtuous  that  we  can  point  to  indepen 
dence,  and  plenty,  and  happiness,  in  this  country.  Such  people 
are  nearly  sure  to  attain,  in  a  very  few  years,  to  a  style  of  comfor 
table  living,  which  they  may  in  vain  hope  for  in  the  United  States; 
and,  however  short  we  come  of  this  character  ourselves,  it  is  only 
a  due  acknowledgement  of  the  bounty  of  Divine  Providence  to 
say,  that  we  generally  enjoy  the  good  things  of  this  life  to  our  en 
tire  satisfaction. 

<{  Our  trade  is  chiefly  confined  to  the  coast,  to  the  interior  parts 
of  the  continent,  and  to  foreign  vessels.  It  is  already  valuable, 
and  fast  increasing.  It  is  carried  on  in  the  productions  of  the 
country,  consisting  of  rice,  palm  oil,  ivory,  tortoise-shell,  dye- 
woods,  gold,  hides,  wax,  and  a  small  amount  of  coifee ;  and  it 
brings  us,  in  return,  the  products  and  manufactures  of  the  four 
quarters  of  the  world.  Seldom,  indeed,  is  our  harbour  clear  of 


193 

tiaries  generally  can  hardly  be  classed  among  sources 
of  revenue,  yet  in  more  than  one  instance  in  America 

European  and  American  shipping ;  and  the  bustle  and  thronging 
of  our  streets  show  something,  already,  of  the  activity  of  the 
smaller  sea-ports  of  the  United  States. 

((  Mechanics,  of  nearly  every  trade,  are  carrying  on  their  va 
rious  occupations;  their  wages  are  high;  and  a  large  number 
would  be  sure  of  constant  and  profitable  employment. 

"  Not  a  child  or  youth  in  the  colony  but  is  provided  with  an 
appropriate  school.  We  have  a  numerous  public  library,  and  a 
court-house,  meeting-houses,  school-houses,  and  fortifications  suf 
ficient,  or  nearly  so,  for  the  colony  in  its  present  state. 

"  Our  houses  are  constructed  of  the  same  materials,  and  finished 
in  the  same  style  as  in  the  towns  of  America.  We  have  abund 
ance  of  good  building  stone,  shells  for  lime,  and  clay,  of  an  ex 
cellent  quality,  for  bricks.  Timber  is  plentiful,  of  various 
kinds,  and  fit  for  all  the  different  purposes  of  building  and  fenc 
ing. 

"  Truly,  we  have  a  goodly  heritage  ;  and  if  there  is  any  thing 
lacking  in  the  character  or  condition  of  the  people  of  this  colony, 
it  never  can  be  charged  to  the  account  of  the  country  :  it  must  be 
the  fruit  of  our  own  mismanagement,  or  slothfulness,  or  vices. 
But  from  these  evils  we  confide  in  Him,  to  whom  we  are  in 
debted  for  all  our  blessings,  to  preserve  us.  It  is  the  topic  of 
our  weekly  and  daily  thanksgiving  to  Almighty  God,  both  in 
public  and  in  private,  and  He  knows  with  what  sincerity  that 
we  were  ever  conducted,  by  his  Providence,  to  this  shore.  Such 
great  favours,  in  so  short  a  time,  and  mixed  with  so  few  trials, 
are  to  be  ascribed  to  nothing  but  his  special  blessing.  This  we 
acknowledge.  We  only  want  the  gratitude  which  such  signal 
favours  call  for.  Nor  are  we  willing  to  close  this  paper  without 
adding  a  heartfelt  testimonial  of  the  deep  obligations  we  owe  to 
our  American  patrons  and  best  earthly  benefactors,  whose  wisdom 
pointed  us  to  this  home  of  our  nation,  and  whose  active  and  per 
severing  benevolence  enabled  us  to  reach  it.  Judge,  then,  of  the 
feelings  with  which  we  hear  the  motives  and  doings  of  the  Colo 
nization  Society  traduced — and  that,  too,  by  men  too  ignorant  to 
Z 


194 

they  have  been  found  not  only  to  defray  all  the  ex 
penses  of  their  establishment,  but  to  leave  a  con 
siderable  balance  of  profit  (derived  from  the  labour 
of  the  prisoners),  at  the  disposal  of  the  state. 
There  must  consequently  be  some  essential  differ 
ence  in  the  principles  upon  which  these  establish 
ments  are  carried  on  in  our  own  country,  or  we 
should  not  see  grants  of  20?000/.  and  upwards  made 
towards  the  support  of  similar  institutions,  instead 
of  a  return  produced  by  the  prisoners,  as  it  is  not 
for  want  of  convicts  able  to  work  that  they  con 
tinue  so  expensive  in  England. 

know  what  that  society  has  accomplished ;  too  weak  to  look  through 
its  plans  and  intentions;  or  too  dishonest  to  acknowledge  either. 
But  without  pretending  to  any  prophetic  sagacity,  we  can  certainly 
predict  to  that  society,  the  ultimate  triumph  of  their  hopes  and 
labours,  and  disappointment  and  defeat  to  all  who  oppose  them. 
Men  may  theorize,  and  speculate  about  their  plans  in  America, 
but  there  can  be  no  speculation  here.  The  cheerful  abodes  of 
civilization  and  happiness  which  are  scattered  over  this  verdant 
mountain— the  flourishing  settlements  which  are  spreading  around 
it — the  sound  of  Christian  instruction,  and  scenes  of  Christian 
worship,  which  are  heard  and  seen  in  this  land  of  brooding  pa 
gan  darkness— a  thousand  contented  freemen  united  in  founding 
a  new  Christian  empire,  happy  themselves,  and  the  instruments  of 
happiness  to  others — every  object,  every  individual,  is  an  argu 
ment,  is  demonstration,  of  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  the  plan 
of  colonization. 

u  Where  is  the  argument  that  shall  refute  facts  like  these  ?  And 
where  is  the  man  hardy  enough,  to  deny  them  ?" — See  Report  of 
American  Colonization  Society,  extract  of  a  letter  from  a  colonist, 
verbatim. 


195 


SUMMARY. 

Each  individual  pays  annually  towards  the  public 
expenditure  as  follows : 

ACCORDING  TO  REVUE  BRITANNIQUE,  NO.  12,   1831. 

I.     s.  d. 

In  France  .  31  francs         .         or     1     5   10 

In  United  States        .  35  francs         .         or     1     9     2 

MR  FENIMORE  COOPER?S  ESTIMATE. 

In  France  gives  no  estimate. 

In  United  States,  i.  e.  a  citizen  of  New  York  to  the 
general  and  state  governments,  including  principal  and 
interest  of  public  debt,  schools,  support  of  clergy,  poor, 
internal  improvements,  &c.  14  francs  5  centimes  or  0  11  82 

Without  the  ecclesiastical  expenses,  the  poor,  or  sums 
paid  towards  the  extinction  of  the  public  debt,  and  in 
terest  upon  it  .  5  fr.  35  c.  .  or  0  4  5| 

To  the  state  of  New  York  95  c.     .         '     or     0     0     9£ 


GENERAL  BERNARD'S  CALCULATION. 

In  France,  without  clergy  (and  some  other  expenses 

before  specified)             .            28  fr.  12  c.     .         or     1  3  5^ 

In  United  States,  ditto         11  fr.  47  c.      .         or     0  9  6^ 

In  France,  without  the  debt,  20  fr.  57  c.     .         or    0  17  1  & 

In  United  States,  ditto           6  fr.    6  c.     .         or     0  5  0^ 
In  United  States,  maximum  paid  by  each  individual 

to  state  government             .         1  fr.  32         .         or    0  1  1 11Tr 

Or  to  federal  and  state  governments  (exclusive  of 

clergy)                                                                         .     0  10  7,V 

CAPTAIN  BASIL  HALL. 

In  United  States,  to  federal  government  0    9     4| 

Ditto  state  government          ...  .030 

Total  0  12    4| 


196 

It  would  be  superfluous  to  offer  any  detailed  esti 
mate  after  the  above  statements,  particularly  as 
the  foregoing  chapters  and  the  tables  in  the  Ap 
pendix  will  enable  any  person  to  make  a  calculation 
of  the  amount  paid  by  each  individual  in  the 
United  States  towards  the  public  expenditure.  It 
would  appear,  however,  that  the  estimate  of  Mr 
Cooper  is  somewhat  low.  By  adding  the  estimated 
amount  paid  to  the  clergy  in  the  United  States  to 
General  Bernard's  estimate,  we  obtain  with  suf 
ficient  accuracy  the  real  amount. 

Allowing  largely  for  the  clergy,  the  state  judi 
ciaries,  &c.  and  other  items  omitted  by  Captain 
Hall,  added  to  the  federal  expenditure,  the  maxi 
mum  annual  amount  may  be  about  thirteen  shil 
lings. 

/.     s.     d. 

For  the  average  expenditure  of  the  United  King 
dom  during  the  years  1828-9  and  30,  including  the 
national  debt,  the  clergy  (of  every  denomination),  and 
the  poor-rates,  an  inhabitant  of  Great  Britain  pays  a 
minimum  of  about  .  .  .  .  2  13  4 

Or,  deducting  the  interest  of  national  debt,  say 
28,000,000/.  about  .  .  .  .  1  10  0 

Captain  Hall,  gives  as  mean  amount  paid  by  each 
individual  in  the  United  States,  \2s.  4|f?.  not  inclu 
ding  clergy,  poor,  &c.  but  excluding  slaves,  or  per 
sons  not  taxed  .  .  .  .  .  0  14  51 

If  we  take  from  the  calculation  of  the  sum  paid 
by  each  individual  in  the  United  Kingdom,  the 


197 

number  of  those  supported  by  poor-rates,  &c.  it 
would  at  least  balance  the  difference. 

The  expense  of  collecting  the  revenue  in  the 
United  States,  including  what  General  Bernard 
calls  administration  centrak,  is 

In  United  States  .  :  .5  and  ^  per  cent. 

In  France  .  .  .  .12  and -^  per  cent. 

In  England,  according  to  Sir  H.  Parnell         7  and  5  per  cent. 

But  it  is  probable  that  Sir  Henry  Parnell  only 
includes  the  expense,  technically  called  "  collection 
of  the  revenue"  (lately,  however,  diminished  in 
amount),  and  not  the  whole  expense  incurred  by  the 
maintenance  of  public  offices,  salaries,  &c.  of  each 
department.  The  author  of  a  pamphlet  on  "  Brit 
ish  Relations  with  the  Chinese  Empire,"  makes  the 
expense  of  collection  on  97,067,847/.  to  be  in  the 
years  1828-9  and  1830,  9,402,801/.  or  about  ten 
per  cent  on  the  amount  of  import  duties,  spirits, 
malt-liquors,  wine,  sugar,  coffee,  tobacco,  and  stamps. 
Vide  also  Quarterly,  1825. 

Dollars.          c. 

The  total  expenditure  of  the  federal  government 
for  1831  is  estimated  at  .  .  30,967,201   25 

including,  however  .  .  .  16,189,289  00 

for  the  payments  on  the  public  debt. 

Leaving  as  the  amount  for  current  expenditure,  14,777,912  00 
or  about  £3,283,980. 

The  receipts  for  1832  are  estimated  at       .         30,100,000  00 


198 

Viz.  Customs  .  "         /*,     26,500,000 

Public  lands          .  .  3,000,000 

Bank  dividends  JV  490,000 

Incidental  receipts  .  110,000 

Dollars.         c. 

The  total  expenditure  for  1832,  exclusive  of 
public  debt          ....  13,365,202  16 

or  about  ^2,970,045. 

Leaving  a  balance  of  .  .  16,734,797  84 

or  about   ^3,718,843.— Vide   Mr  M'Lane's  Report  on  the  Fi 
nances  of  the  United  States. 


APPENDIX. 


Extract  from  "  Review  of  Captain  B.   HalVs  Travels" 

u  \yITH  regard  to  the  judicial  establishments  of  the  two  countries, 
he  is  perpetually  referring,  in  the  language  of  taunt,  to  the  superior 
firmness  of  the  tenure  of  office  in  England.  It  is  plain,  from  every 
word  he  utters,  that  he  is  under  a  complete  delusion  as  to  the  real 
state  of  the  fact.  In  England  the  judges  can  be  removed  by  a  bare 
majority  of  the  legislature,  without  any  form  of  trial,  or  even  an  alle 
gation  of  their  having  committed  any  offence.  Paley  states  this  with 
his  usual  correctness  (Principles  of  Moral  and  Political  Philosophy): 
'  As  protection  against  every  illegal  attack  upon  the  rights  of  the 
subject  by  the  servants  of  the  crown  is  to  be  sought  for  from  these 
tribunals,  the  judges  of  the  land  become  not  unfrequently  the  arbi 
trators  between  the  king  and  the  people,  on  which  account  they 
ought  to  be  independent  of  either;  or  what  is  the  same  thing,  equally 
dependent  on  both;  that  is,  if  they  be  appointed  by  the  one,  they 
should  be  removable  only  by  the  other.  This  was  the  policy  which 
dictated  that  memorable  improvement  in  our  Constitution,  by  which 
the  judges,  who,  before  the  revolution,  held  their  offices  during  the 
pleasure  of  the  king,  can  now  be  deprived  of  them  only  by  an  ad 
dress  from  both  houses  of  parliament,  as  the  most  regular,  solemn 
and  authentic  way  by  which  the  dissatisfaction  of  the  people  can  be 
expressed.'  Mr  Hallam,  in  his  Constitutional  History  (vol.  i.  p. 
245),  remarks,  ;  No  judge  can  be  dismissed  from  office  except  in 
consequence  of  a  conviction  for  some  offence,  or  the  address  of  both 
houses  of  parliament,  which  is  tantamount  to  an  act  of  legislature ." 
And  thus  the  matter  rests  at  the  present  day.  The  same  casting  vote 
which  suffices  to  pass  a  law  may  dismiss  the  judge  whose  interpreta- 


200 

tion  of  it  is  not  acceptable.  This  is  not  the  case  in  any  part  of  the 
United  States.  The  judges  of  the  national  courts  cannot  be  reached 
by  address  at  all;  they  may  defy  the  president  and  both  houses  of 
congress.  In  the  states  where  this  English  provision  has  been  copied, 
it  has  been  rendered  comparatively  harmless  by  requiring  the  con 
currence  of  two-thirds  of  each  branch  of  the  legislature  in  order  to 
effect  the  removal. 

4 '  Let  us  suppose,  for  the  sake  of  illustration,  a  question  to  arise  on 
the  emancipation  bill,  as  it  is  called,  of  last  session.  The  most  strenu 
ous  supporters  of  that  bill  admitted  it  to  be  a  violation  of  what  they  de 
signated  as  the  constitution  of  1688.  In  Mr  Peel's  speech,  less  than 
a  year  before,  he  declared,  4  If  the  constitution  was  to  he  considered 
the  king,  lords,  and  commons,  it  would  be  subverting  that  constitu 
tion  to  admit  Roman  Catholics  to  the  privileges  they  sought;  it  would 
be  an  important  change  in  the  state  of  the  Constitution  as  established 
at  the  revolution.'  (Speech  in  May  1828.)  Lord  Tenderden,  the 
chief  justice  of  the  court  of  king's  bench,  in  resisting  in  the  house  of 
lords  the  bill  subsequently  introduced  by  Mr  Peel  himself,  declared 
that  '  he  looked  upon  the  proposed  measure  as  leading  by  a  broad 
and  direct  road  to  the  overthrow  of  the  Protestant  Church.'  (Times, 
Jlpril  6,  1829.)  Suppose  the  sergeant-at-arms  should  thrust  back 
Mr  O'Connell  on  his  attempting  to  enter  the  house  of  commons,  or 
any  other  cause  arise  bringing  up  the  act:  were  Lord  Tenderden,  as 
a  judge,  to  use  any  language  of  an  unsatisfactory  kind,  he  might  be 
hurled  from  his  seat  by  that  very  legislature,  which  was  induced  to 
pass  the  law.  In  the  United  States  the  people  have  denied  themselves 
this  power..  Mr  Chief  Justice  Marshall  might  move  intrepidly  on, 
where  Lord  Chief  Justice  Tenderden  must  yield  or  be  sacrificed. 
Congress/aiYZi/  and  equally  represents  the  whole  country,  yet  it  has 
not  the  power  of  a  British  parliament  to  bring  to  bear  on  judges  what 
Paley  calls  l  the  displeasure  of  the  people.' 

"  It  is  a  subject  of  curious  reflection,  that  until  the  constitution 
of  1688,  or  rather  until  the  13th  year  of  Will.  III.,  judges  were,  as 
Paley  remarks,  the  creatures  of  the  crown.  The  actual  power  of 
judicial  appointment  at  present  resides  in  Mr  Peel,  the  home  secre 
tary.  He  has  said  that  the  constitution  of  1688  would  be  subverted 
by  measures  which  he  has  since  urged  through  parliament;  if  so,  the 
king  has  an  unlimited  power  of  making  and  unmaking  judges.  Put 
that  constitution  out  of  view,  and  Lord  Tenderden  may  be  dismissed 
in  the  same  way  as  his  predecessor  Lord  Coke  was,  in  the  time  of 
James  the  first. 


201 

"  Captain  Hall  has  sad  misgivings;  he  tells  us  as  to  what  will  be 
our  fate  if  the  supreme  court  should  at  any  time  falter  in  its  duty,  and 
consent  to  execute  an  unconstitutional  law.     Now  there  is,  of  course, 
no  end  to  the  hypotheses  which  an  ingenious  mind  may  frame  as  to 
the  effect  of  derelictions  of  duty,  by  any  department  of  a  government. 
The  house  of  commons  may,  as  Paley  remarks,  "  put  to  death  the 
constitution,  by  the  refusal  of  the  annual  grants  of  money  to  the  sup 
port  of  the  necessary  functions  of  government."     So  may  the  judici 
ary  commit  some  suicidal  act.      We  have  given  to  our  judges  every 
motive  to  a  high  and  fearless  execution  of  their  trust;  the  oath  to  sup 
port  the  constitution, — absolute  immunity, — and,  on  the  other  hand, 
the  infamy  of  judicial  cowardice.     Human  precaution  can  go  no  fur 
ther.     But  where  are  we  if  all  these  securities  prove  ineffectual? 
Just  where  other  countries  are  which  do  not  intrust  to  the  judge  the 
power  of  canvassing  a  legislative  act.     What  was  the  history  of  our 
revolution?  Whilst  we  were  a  part  of  the  British  empire,  an  attempt 
was  made  to  tax  us  in  defiance  of  a  common  law  principle.     As  the 
courts  stood  ready  to  enforce  these  odious  measures,  we  were  driven 
to  arms.     Lord  Chatham  declared  us  to  be  in  the  right.     Mr  Fox 
has  subsequently  placed  on  record  his  opinion  that  our  resistance 
preserved  the  integrity  of  the  English  constitution,  and  parliament 
itself  has  recognised  the  justice  of  our  course  by  a  definition  of  the 
true  colonial  principle.     Our  present  position  is  this: — we  have  pla 
ced  our  judges  in  a  situation  far  more  independent  than  the  same 
functionaries  enjoy  in  England.     We  are  a  patient,  quiet  people, 
and  will  submit  to  a  great  deal  even  of  what  we  deem  injustice,  ra 
ther  than  put  all  these  blessings  in  peril  by  violence:  but,  finally,  we 
hold  in  reserve  for  intolerable  grievances  what  Blackstone  describes, 
even  in  England,  as  the  last  resort. 

u  It  is  the  more  to  be  regretted  that  Captain  Hall  should  have  ex 
hibited  an  absurd  ignorance  on  this  subject,  as  he  has  thereby  dimi 
nished  materially  the  chance  of  our  profiting  by  his  criticism,  even 
when  better  founded.  A  foreigner  is  often  struck  by  errors  to  which 
the  people,  amongst  whom  they  exist,  are  rendered  insensible,  and 
his  candid  and  temperate  exposure  of  them  may  lead  to  a  reforma 
tion,  which  might  have  been  struggled  for  in  vain  by  those  whose  mo 
tives  were  more  liable  to  suspicion.  Thus,  he  very  justly  denounces 
the  practice,  in  a  few  of  the  states,  of  rendering  the  judges  periodi- 

2    A 


202 

tally  elective,  thinking  that  they  are  thereby  exposed  to,  at  least,  a 
suspicion  of  servility  to  the  government.  He  thinks  that  they  ought 
to  be  placed  on  the  same  footing  with  the  judges  of  the  United  States, 
and  of  the  largest  states;  but  unfortunately  he  has  thrown  away  all 
his  influence  as  an  auxiliary,  by  seriously  pretending  to  refer  these 
misguided  people,  in  the  most  triumphant  manner,  to  the  case  of 
England,  when  they  are  too  well  aware  that  an  evil  of  the  same 
character  exists  in  that  country,  in  a  form  infinitely  more  odious  and 
alarming,  and  on  a  scale  altogether  stupendous. 

"  The  allusion  is,  of  course,  to  the  high  court  of  chancery. 
There  is  a  sum  at  stake  in  the  litigation  of  that  court — nay,  actually 
locked  up  awaiting  its  decisions — equal  to  the  value  of  the  fee- 
simple  of  the  states  in  question,  and  all  their  movables  into  the 
bargain — a  sum  more  than  sufficient  to  pay  off  the  whole  national 
debt  of  the  United  States  several  times  over.  Its  jurisdiction  is  of 
the  most  diffusive  character,  and  it  may  be  said  to  reach  in  some 
way,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  the  interests  or  the  sympathies  of 
every  individual  in  the  community.  As  no  court  presents  so  many 
temptations  to  indirect  practices,  so  there  is  no  one  in  which  they 
may  be  so  readily  veiled.  A  year's  delay,  to  obtain  which  might 
be  an  object  of  sufficient  importance  to  warrant  an  enormous  bribe, 
would  scarcely  excite  even  suspicion  in  a  court  whose  procrastina 
ting  temper  is  proverbial.  There  is  no  jury  to  participate  in  its 
labours,  or  to  check  an  improper  bias;  nor  do  its  proceedings 
possess  that  kind  of  popular  interest  which  attracts  to  them  the 
supervision  even  of  the  readers  of  the  newspapers.  What  is  the 
tenure  by  which  this  almost  boundless  power  over  the  anxieties  and 
the  interests  of  the  community  is  held?  The  will  of  the  minister  of 
the  day:  his  breath  can  make  or  unmake  the  lord  chancellor.  A 
premier  would  instantly  resign  if  his  declared  wish  for  the  removal 
of  this  officer  should  be  disregarded:  such  a  refusal  would  be  con 
sidered  as  depriving  him  of  an  authority  essential  to  the  discipline 
of  the  cabinet,  and  to  that  concert  and  cordiality  on  which  the 
success  of  its  measures  must  so  greatly  depend.  When  it  is  recol 
lected  that  within  the  brief  space  of  nine  months,  there  stood  at  the 
head  of  affairs  in  Great  Britain  four  different  individuals  in  succession 
(Lord  Liverpool,  Mr  Canning,  Lord  Goderich,  the  Duke  of 
Wellington),  it  will  readily  be  conceded  that  the  chancellor  can 
never  consider  himself  as  altogether  safe,  since  he  is  liable  to  be 


203 

sacrificed,  not  merely  to  any  particular  scheme  of  policy,  which  he  is 
accused  of  thwarting,  but  even  to  those  impulses  of  temper,  on  the 
one  side  or  the  other,  through  which  Mr  Huskisson  ceased  to  be  a 
minister.  It  seems  to  be  universally  agreed  that  Lord  Lyndhurst 
must  have  gone  out,  as  the  attorney-general  did,  had  he  not  voted 
for  the  Relief  Bill  of  last  session. 

41  If  we  look  back  to  the  history  of  this  court  we  shall  see  plainly 
what  has  been  the  practical  consequence  of  this  state  of  things. 
The  mind  involuntarily  turns  to  Lord  Bacon:  the  'greatest,  wisest' 
of  mankind,  he  became  lord  chancellor  only  to  furnish  to  the  poet  a 
sad  antithesis  to  these  epithets.  There  is  nowhere  to  be  found  a 
more  mortifying  rebuke  to  the  pride  of  human  nature  than  is  fur 
nished  in  witnessing  the  influence  of  circumstances  over  a  mind  so 
wholly  without  a  parallel  in  modern  times,  whether  we  refer  to 
original  power  and  compass,  or  to  extent  of  acquirement.  His 
appointment,  as  appears  by  his  own  letters,  was  brought  about  by 
Buckingham,  the  favourite  of  King  James.  The  abject  subjec 
tion  in  which  he  was  held  is  thus  stated  by  his  biographer  Mallet. 
1  During  the  king's  absence  in  Scotland,  there  happened  an  affair, 
otherwise  of  small  importance,  but  as  it  lets  us  into  the  true  genius 
of  those  times,  and  serves  to  show  in  what  miserable  subjection  the 
favourite  held  all  those  who  were  in  public  employments.  He  was 
on  the  point  of  ruining  Sir  Francis  Bacon,  the  person  he  had  just 
contributed  to  raise;  not  for  any  error  or  negligence  in  their 
master's  service,  but  merely  for  an  opinion  given  in  a  thing  that 
only  regarded  his  own  family.  Indeed,  such  was  his  levity,  such 
the  insolence  of  his  power,  that  the  capricious  removal  of  men  from 
their  places  became  the  prime  distinction  of  his  thirteen  years' 
favour,  which,  as  Bishop  Hacket  observes,  was  like  a  sweeping 
flood  that  at  every  spring-tide  takes  from  one  land  to  cast  what  it 
has  taken  upon  another.'  And  again,  £nor  even  thus  did  he 
presently  regain  his  credit  with  Buckingham;  the  family  continued 
to  load  him  with  reproaches:  and  he  remained  long  under  that 
agony  of  heart  which  an  aspiring  man  must  feel  when  his  power 
and  dignity  are  at  the  mercy  of  a  king's  minion,  young  and  giddy 
with  his  elevation.  They  were,  however,  reconciled  at  last,  and 
their  friendship,  if  obsequiousness  in  o?ie,  to  all  the  humours  of  the 
other,  deserves  the  name  of  friendship,  continued  without  interruption 
for  some  years:  while  Buckingham  went  on  daily  to  place  and  dis- 


204 

place  the  great  officers  of  the  crown,  as  wantonness  of  fancy,  or 
anger,  or  interest  led  him;  to  recommend  or  discountenance  every 
private  person,  who  had  a  suit  depending  in  any  court  just  as  he 
was  influenced;  to  authorise  and  protect  every  illegal  project  that 
could  serve  most  speedily  to  enrich  himself  or  his  kindred,'  &c. 

"At  length  his  bribery  and  venality  became  so  flagrant  and  no 
torious,  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  put  him  aside. 

"  What  brought  about  the  dismissal  of  Lord  Clarendon  from  the 
same  high  office?  We  are  told  that  the  gravity  of  his  deportment 
4  struck  a  very  unpleasing  awe  into  a  court  filled  with  licentious 
persons  of  both  sexes;'  certain  false  suggestions  were  in  consequence 
got  up,  which,  l  assisted  by  the  solicitations  of  theladies  of  pleasure, 
made  such  impressions  upon  the  king,  that  he  at  last  gave  way  and 
became  willing,  and  even  pleased,  to  part  both  from  his  person  and 
services.'  (Chalmers's  Biographical  Dictionary,  art.  Hyde.) 
Pepys,  secretary  to  the  admiralty,  in  the  reign  of  Charles  II.  thus 
refers,  in  his  Diary,  recently  edited  by  Lord  Braybrooke,  to  the 
same  transaction.  '  This  day,  Mr  Pierce,  the  surgeon,  was  with 
me,  and  tells  me  how  this  business  of  my  lord  chancellor's  was 
certainly  designed  in  my  Lady  Castlemain's  chamber;  and  that 
when  he  went  from  the  king  on  Monday  morning  she  was  in  bed 
(though  about  twelve  o'clock),  and  ran  out  in  her  smock  into  her 
aviary,  looking  into  Whitehall-garden;  and  thither  her  woman 
brought  her  her  night-gown,  and  stood  blessing  herself  at  the  old 
man's  going  away.' 

"  Clarendon's  integrity  could  not  be  overcome.  Had  he  proved 
weak  as  Lord  Bacon,  he  would  have  been  drawn  into  the  same 
wretched  thraldom  to  the  male  or  female  favourite  of  the  hour. 
Influence,  wherever  lodged,  would  have  been  an  object  of  dread; 
and  the  power  of  alarming  the  anxieties  of  the  chancellor  have 
proved  the  best  perquisite  of  the  king's  mistress.  A  magistrate 
thus  debased  would  quickly  come  to  understand  that  he  might  give 
as  much  offence  by  an  honest  decree  as  by  the  gravity  of  his  deport 
ment,  and  even  should  an  exposure  ultimately  take  place,  it  would  be 
impossible  to  trace  the  taint  of  corruption  through  the  vast  and 
complicated  business  of  the  court,  much  less  to  redress  the  mischief 
which  had  been  done. 

"  Coming  into  the  next  century,  we  find  Lord  Chancellor  the 
Earl  of  Macclesfald,  disgraced  for  bribery  and  venality. 


205 

"  The  circumstances  which  more  recently  led  to  the  dismissal  of 
Lord  Camden  are  thus  stated  by  the  Earl  of  Chatham,  in  his  speech 
explanatory  of  the  pension  granted  to  that  illustrious  magistrate, 
prior  to  his  appointment  as  chancellor.  (See  Gentleman's  Maga 
zine  for  1770,  p.  104.)  '  I  recommended  him  to  be  chancellor; 
his  public  and  private  virtues  were  acknowledged  by  all;  they  made 
his  situation  more  precarious.  I  could  not  reasonably  expect  from 
him  that  he  should  quit  the  chief-justiceship  of  the  common  pleas, 
which  he  held  for  life,  and  put  himself  in  the  power  of  those  who 
were  not  to  be  trusted,  to  be  dismissed  from  the  chancery,  perhaps 
the  day  after  his  appointment.  The  public  has  not  been  deceived 
by  his  conduct.  My  suspicions  have  been  justified.  His  integrity 
has  made  him  once  more  a  poor  and  a  private  man ;  he  was  dismissed 
for  the  vote  he  gave  in  favour  of  the  right  of  election  in  the  subject.' 
In  the  same  volume,  p.  141,  will  be  found  'The  Humble  Address, 
Remonstrance,  and  Petition  of  the  Electors  of  the  City  and  Liberty 
of  Westminster,  assembled  in  Westminster-hall,  the  28th  March 
1770,'  in  which  they  say,  l  by  the  same  secret  and  unhappy  influ 
ence  to  which  all  our  grievances  have  been  originally  owing,  the 
redress  of  those  grievances  has  been  now  prevented;  and  the  griev 
ances  themselves  have  been  repeatedly  confirmed,  with  this  additional 
circumstance  of  aggravation,  that  while  the  invaders  of  our  rights 
remain  the  directors  of  your  majesty's  counsels,  the  defenders  of 
those  rights  have  been  dismissed  from  your  majesty's  service,  your 
majesty  having  been  advised  by  your  ministers  to  remove  from  his 
employment  for  his  vote  in  parliament  the  highest  officer  of  the  law, 
because  his  principles  suited  ill  with  theirs,  and  his  pure  distribution 
of  justice  with  their  corrupt  administration  of  it  in  the  house  of 
commons.' 

"  Whilst,  therefore,  the  great  law  officer  of  England  sits  at  the 
council  board,  and  at  the  banquet,  with  the  sword  suspended  over 
his  head  by  a  single  hair — whilst  in  the  middle  of  a  cause  he  may 
learn  that  his  judicial  functions  are  at  an  end — Captain  Hall,  with  a 
generous  waiver  of  all  selfish  considerations,  thinks  only  of  the  poor 
souls  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

*  Woe,  woe,  for  Indiana,  not  a  whit  for  me!' 

44  His  sympathies  are  on  a  mission  to  the  Ohio,  to  awaken  people 
there  to  a  sense  of  their  perilous  condition,  whilst  his  own  brethren 


206 

are  left  unheeded  behind.  He  dreads  lest  in  the  legislature  of  some 
one  of  the  states  composed  of  men  '  who  have  come  straight  from 
the  plough,  or  from  behind  the  counter,  from  chopping  down  trees, 
or  from  the  bar,'  corruption  may  be  found.  He  has  no  fear  of  the 
abuse  of  power  by  an  individual." 


207 


General  Table  of  all  Religious  Denominations  throughout  the  United  Slates, 
specifying  the  number  of  Ministers,  Churches,  Communicants,  and  Indivi 
duals. 


Denominations. 

Ministers. 

a>    i 

-  to  2 
^5.2 
H^  « 
J'o  M 

Communi 
cants. 

es 

y 

o  '-3 

P« 

1.  Calvinistic  Baptists     . 

2,914 

4,384 

304,827 

2,743,453 

2.  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 

1,777 

476,000 

2,600,000 

3.  Presbyterians  (General  Assembly)     . 

I,b01 

2,253 

182,017 

1,800,000 

4.  Congregationalists  (orthodox) 

1,000 

1,270 

140,OOC 

1,260,000 

5.  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 

558 

700 

600,000 

6.  Universalists   .... 

150 

300 

500,000 

7.  Roman  Catholics 

500,000 

8.  Lutherans 

205 

1,200 

44,000 

400,000 

*9.  Christians         .... 

200 

800 

25,000 

275,000 

10.  German  Reformed 

84 

400 

17,400 

200,000 

11.  Friends,  or  Quakers    . 

400 

200,000 

12.  Unitarians  (Congregationalists) 

160 

193 

176,000 

L3.  Associate  and  other  Methodists 

350 

35,000 

175,000 

14.  Free-will  Baptists 

300 

400 

16,000 

150,000 

15.  Dutch  Reformed 

159 

194 

17,888 

125,000 

16.  Mennonites      .... 

200 

30,000 

120,000 

17.  Associate  Presbyterians 

74 

144 

15,000 

100,000 

18.  Cumberland  Presbyterians 

50 

75 

8,000 

100,000 

19.  Tunkers,  or  Dunkers 

40 

40 

3,000 

30,000 

20.  Free-communion  Baptists 

30 

3,500 

30,000 

21.  Seventh-day  Baptists 

30 

40 

2,000 

20,000 

22.  Six-principle  Baptists 

25 

30 

1,800 

20,000 

23.  United  Brethren,  or  Moravians 

23 

23 

2,000 

7,000 

24.  Millenial  Church,  or  Shakers 

45 

15 

6,000 

25.  New  Jerusalem  Church 

30 

28 

5,000 

26.  Emancipators  (Baptists) 

15 

600 

4,500 

27.  Jews  and  others  not  mentioned,  San- 

demanians 

150 

50,000 

N.B.  Lists  of  many  more  than  double  the  above  number  of  sects  and  deno 
minations  as  existing  in  England  and  elsewhere,  are  given  by  Evans,  Rannah 
More,  Hulbert,  &c.;  but  these  are  all  that  are  mentioned  by  the  "  American  Al 
manac,"  for  1832  (a  most  useful  work  published  at  Boston);  "  Quarterly  Regis 
ter  of  American  Education;"  "  Sword's  Ecclesiastical  Register;"  "  Report  of 
American  Unitarian  Association,"  &c.  &c.  on  which  authorities  the  above  table 
is  given.— W.  G.  0. 


208 


General  Bernard's  Comparative  Statement 


FRENCH    BUDGET. 

Francs. 


Public  Debt 
Civil  List 

Justice 

Mministration  Centrale 


Foreign  Affairs 
Administration  Centrale 


Total 


Total 


19,097,020 
552,000 


8,180,000 
820,000 


Interieur,  or  Home  Department. 
Fonts  et  chaussees,  mines,  travaux 

publics,  lignes  telegraphiquc,  &c.    91,513,517 

Miscellaneous        .  .  12,935,483 

Administration  Centrale        .  1,151,000 

Total 


Ecclesiastical  Affairs 
Administration  Centrale 


Public  Instruction 


35,551,500 
370,000 


Total 


Commerce  and  Manufactures  2,844,000 

Administration  Centrale      .  450,200 

Total         


Francs. 
247,943,065 

32,000,000 


19,649,020 


9,000,000 


105,600,000 

35,921,500 
1,995,000 

3,294,200 


209 


of  the  French  and  American  Budgets. 


AMERICAN  BUDGET. 

Francs.  Cs.            Francs.      Cs. 

Public  Debt                            .  .         52,500,000  00 

Civil  List              .                 .  .              131,250  00 


Department  of  State      *\;  .  3,179,101  69 

Central  Administration    .  .       170,409  75 

Total 3,349,511  44 


210 


Francs. 


Francs. 


War  Department  .     185,623,000 

Administration  Centrale  .          1,577,000 

Total        187,200,000 


Marine,  or  Naval  Department 
Administration  Centrale 

Total 


Finance 
Administration  Centrale 


Post  Office 
Administration  Centrale 


Total 


Total 


64,480,000 
790,000 


94,954,100 
5,000,000 


14,546,294 
2,233,530 


65,270,000 


99,954,100 


16,779,824 


Administration  of  Public  Revenues     108,388,268 
Central  Administration  .  3,000,955 

(Without  the  Post  Office)     Total  1 1 1,389,223 

Reimbursements  and  Compensations  49,939,397 

Total  of  French  Budget  .  .          977,935,329 

Or  (at  25  francs)  about     £39, 1 1 7,4 1 3 


War  Department 
Army,  Fortifications,  and  Ma 
teriel  of  Artillery 
Public  ^Vorks 
Indians 
Central  Administration 

Total 


Naval  Department 
Central  Administration 


Treasury  Department 
Central  Administration 


Total 


Total 


Francs.        Cs.        Francs.        Cs. 


20,601,943  47 

4,454,748  06 

2,749,725  14 

327,429  38 


22,466,660  21 
247,112  25 


21,911,335  85 
1,369,987  50 


Post  Office 

(This  is  not  a  branch  of  public  revenue  in  the 
United  States;  the  receipts  cover  the  expendi 
ture,  all  but  the  mere  expenses  of  office  or  Ad 
ministration  Centrale.) 


5,133,846  05 


22,713,772  46 


23,281,323  35 


3^1,772  50 


Total  of  American  Budget 
Or  (at  25  francs)     £5,2 1 7,259 


130,431,475  80 


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214 

Table,  showing  the  Governor's  Term  and  Salary,  the  number  of 
Senators  and  Representatives,  with  their  respective  Terms  and 
Pay  in  the  different  States. 


States. 

Govr's 
term  of 

Salary. 

Sena 

Term 
of 

Repre 
senta 

Term 
of 

Total 
of  sen. 

Pay 

>erday 

Expense 
of  one 
month 

years. 

tors. 

years. 

tives. 

years. 

&  rep. 

lars. 

for  sen. 

and  rep. 

Maine 

1 

1500 

20 

1 

153 

1 

173 

2.00 

10,380 

New  Hampshire 

1 

1200 

12 

1 

229 

1 

236 

2.00 

14,160 

Vermont* 

1 

750 

none 

230 

1 

230 

1.50 

10,350 

Massachusetts-}- 

1 

5666? 

40 

1 

481 

521 

2.00 

31,260 

Rhode  Island 

1 

400 

10 

1 

72 

i 

82 

1.50 

3,690 

Connecticut^ 

1 

1100 

21 

1 

208 

1 

229 

2.00 

13,740 

New  York 

2 

40  00 

32 

4 

128 

1 

160 

3.00 

1,440 

New  Jersey§ 

1 

2000 

14 

1 

50 

1 

64 

3.00 

5,760 

Pennsylvania 

3 

4000 

33 

4 

100 

1 

133 

3.00 

10,970 

Delaware 

3 

1333^ 

9 

3 

21 

1 

30 

2.50 

2,250 

Maryland 

1 

3.500 

15 

5 

80 

1 

95 

4.00 

11,400 

Virginia 

3 

3333A 

32 

4 

134 

1 

166 

4.00 

19,920 

North  Carolina 

1 

2000 

64 

1 

134 

1 

198 

3.00 

17,820 

South  Carolina 

2 

3900 

45 

4 

124 

2 

169 

4-00 

20,280 

Georgia 

2 

3000 

78 

1 

142 

1 

220 

4-00 

26,400 

Alabama 

2 

2000 

22 

3 

72 

94 

4.00 

11,280 

Mississippi 

2 

2500 

11 

3 

36 

1 

47 

3.00 

4,230 

Louisiana 

4 

7500 

17 

4 

50 

2 

67 

4.00 

7,040 

Tennessee 

2 

2000 

20 

2 

60 

2 

80 

4.00 

9,600 

Kentucky 

4 

2000 

38 

4 

100 

1 

138 

2.00 

8,280 

Ohio 

2 

1200 

36 

2 

72 

1 

108 

3.00 

9,720 

tndiana 

3 

1000 

23 

3 

62 

1 

85 

2.00 

5,100 

Illinois 

4 

1000 

> 

4 

? 

2 

? 

3.00 

.? 

Missouri 

4 

1500 

18 

4 

49 

2 

65 

3.00 

5,940 

56,383£  ||  dollars,  or  about  12,600/.     Total  1  261,010 

or,  allowing-  6,000  dollars  for  Illinois,  not  ascertained,  267,010  dollars. 

*  There  is  no  senate  in  the  legislature  of  Vermont;  but  the  executive  council, 
consisting  of  the  governor,  lieutenant  governor,  and  twelve  counsellors,  elected 
by  the  freemen,  are  empowered  to  lay  before  the  general  assembly  such  business 
as  shall  appear  to  them  necessary;  also  to  revise  and  propose  amendments  to  the 
laws  passed  by  the  house *of  representatives. 

•j-  The  number  of  representatives  in  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts  in  1831 
was  481,-  but  the  number  is  very  variable. 

J  The  pay  of  the  senators,  in  the  legislature  of  Connecticut,  is  two  dollars  a 
day,  that  of  the  representatives  1.50. 

§  The  upper  house,  which  forms  an  independent  branch  of  the  legislature  of 
New  Jersey,  is  styled  the  "Legislative  Council." 

||  These  salaries  appear  very  low;  but  it  must  be  remarked,  that  the  post  of  go 
vernor  of  a  state  is  less  one  of  emolument  than  of  distinction  and  power;  the 
expense  it  entails  generally  greatly  exceeding  the  amount  of  salary.  Ft  is  some 
what  analogous,  in  this  respect,  to  the  lord-lieu  tenantcies  of  counties  in  this  country. 

IT  A  small  allowance  per  mile  is  made  for  the  travelling  expenses  of  the  mem 
bers  of  the  legislature,  the  exact  aggregate  amount  of  which  sums  it  would  be 
difficult  to  calculate:  by  allowing  a  session  of  nearly  five  months  in  the  year,  in 
all  the  states,  we  certainly  cover  this  expense. 

From  the  above  table  it  will  appear  that  the  total  amount  of  the  sums  paid  to 
the  senators  and  representatives  of  the  state  legislatures  throughout  the  whole 
union,  together  with  the  salaries  of  the  governors,  would  not  amount  to  280,OOOZ. 
English,  if  all  the  legislatures  were  to  remain  in  session  between  four  and  five 
months  in  the  year  (the  average  is  perhaps  not  more  than  two  or  three  months, 
in  reality).— W.  G.  O. 


215 


Statement,  showing  the  aggregate  number  of  persons  in  each  of 
the  States,  according  to  the  fifth  census,  and  distinguishing 
the  Slave  from  the  Free  Population  in  each  State,  according  to 
the  corrections  made  in  the  returns  of  the  Marshals  and  their 
assistants  by  the  Secretary  of  State. 

(From  Letter  of  Secretary  of  State  to  Speaker  of  House  of  Representatives, 
dated  Jan  4,  1832. ) 


States. 

Number  of 
white  per 
sons. 

Number 
of  free 
colored. 

Total  of 
free  per 
sons. 

Slaves.  . 

Total  of  all 
descriptions. 

Maine 

398,260 

1,171 

399,431 

6 

399,437 

New  Hampshire 

268,721 

602 

269,323 

5 

269,328 

Massachusetts 

603,359 

7,045 

610,404 

4 

610,408 

Rhode  Island 

93,621 

3,564 

97,185 

14 

97,199 

Connecticut 

289,603 

8,047 

297,650 

25 

297,675 

Vermont 

279,776 

881 

280,657 

none 

280,657 

New  York 

1,868,061 

44,869 

1,912,930 

76 

1,913,006? 

*1253 

New  Jersey 

300,266 

18,303 

318,569 

2,254 

320,823 

Pennsylvania 

1,309,900 

37,930 

1,347,830 

403 

1,348,233 

Delaware 

57,601 

15,855 

73,456 

3,292 

76,748 

Maryland 

291,108 

52,938 

344,046 

102,994 

447,040 

Virginia 

694,300 

47,348 

741,648 

469,757 

1,211,405 

North  Carolina 

472,843 

19,543 

492,386 

245,601 

737,987 

South  Carolina 

257,863 

7,921 

265,784 

315,401 

581,185 

Georgia 

296,806 

2,486 

299,292 

217,531 

516,823 

Alabama 

190,406 

1,572 

191,978 

117,549 

309,527 

Mississippi 

70,443 

519 

70,962 

65,659 

136,621 

Louisiana 

89,231 

16,710 

105,941 

109,588 

215,529  ? 

*2105 

Tennessee 

535,746 

4,555 

540,301 

141,603 

681,904 

Kentucky 

517,787 

4,917 

522,704 

165,213 

687,917 

Ohio 

926,311 

9,567 

935,878 

6 

935,884 

Indiana 

339,399 

3,629 

343,028 

3 

343,031 

Illinois 

115,061 

1,637 

156,698 

747 

157,445 

Missouri 

114,795 

569 

115,364 

25,091 

140,455 

*  Aliens,  or  persons  not  classified  under  the  above  heads. 

N.B.  It  will  be  perceived  that  the  population  returns  for  the  territories  of  Flo 
rida,  Arkansa  and  Michigan,  and  the  district  of  Columbia,  being  wanting,  no 
total  is  here  given  of  the  whole  population  of  the  United  States,  which  probably 
amounts,  however,  to,  at  present,  as  nearly  as  possible,  13,000,000.  In  1830 
the  census  gave.  12,856,165  as  the  total  population.— W.  G.  O. 


216 


STEAM-BOAT  NAVIGATION  FROM  ST  LOUIS. 

St  Louis  is  1200  miles,  by  the  course  of  the  river,  above  New 
Orleans,  and  is,  next  to  that  city,  the  largest  and  most  commercial 
town  on  the  Mississippi.  In  the  summer  of  1831  there  were  six 
steam-boats  regularly  employed  between  St  Louis  and  New  Or 
leans.  A  trip  from  one  place  to  the  other,  and  back  again,  usually 
occupies  twenty-four  days;  the  shortest  time  in  which  one  was  ever 
made,  eighteen  days.  The  usual  fare  for  cabin  passengers  descend 
ing,  20  dollars;  ascending,  25  dollars;  for  deck  passengers,  5  dol 
lars,  either  way.  •  Freight  per  100  Ibs.  descending,  37£  cents; 
ascending,  62£  cents. 

From'St  Louis  to  Louisville,  630  miles;  six  boats  regularly  run 
ning,  in  1831;  usual  time  of  a  trip  ten  or  eleven  days;  the  passage 
one  way  usually  being  somewhat  more  than  three  days:  fare  of  cabin 
passengers  about  15  dollars,  either  way;  deck  passengers  4  dollars: 
freight  about  25  cents  per  100  Ib.  One  boat  also  ran  regularly  to 
Cincinnati,  150  miles  above  Louisville. 

From  St  Louis  to  Fever  River,  about  480  miles,  three  steam 
boats  regularly  employed  in  1831  ;  time  occupied  by  a  trip  about  ten 
days:  fare  for  passengers  ascending,  15  dollars;  descending,  9  dol 
lars.  The  route  of  one  of  the  boats  occasionally  extended  to  St 
Peter's  River,  400  miles  further  up. 

In  1821  two  boats  were  employed  in  running  from  St  Louis  up 
the  Missouri  to  Franklin,  200  miles,  and  to  Fort  Leavenworth,  200 
miles  further:  freight  to  Franklin  75  cents  per  100  Ibs.,  and  to  Fort 
Leavenworth  from  1.25  to  1.50  dollars:  from  Franklin  down,  25 
cents  per  100  Ibs. 

From  St  Louis  to  Pekin,  on  Illinois  River,  180  miles:  two  or 
three  boats  regularly  employed  in  1831.  Steam-boats  come  occa- 
sionly  to  St  Louis,  from  Pittsburg  and  other  places. 


217 


Whole  number  of  Steam  Boats  built  on  the  Western  Waters. 


J 

1 

bh 

S3 
O 

'5 
,0 

1 

jj 

v  runnii 

or  worn 

Of  the  Coats  now  running, 

^ 

"o 

js 

P- 
o 

1 

1811 
1814 
1815 

1 

4 
3 

1 

4 
3 

68  were  built  at  Cincinnati 
68             Pittsburgh 
2               ...         Louisville 

1816 

2 

2 

12              New  Albany 

1817 

9 

9 

7             ....         Marietta 

1818 

23 

23 

2             ....          Zanesville 

1819 
1820 

27 
7 

1 

27 
6 

1             Fredericksburgh 
1             Westport 

1821 

6 

1 

5 

1             ....         Silver  Creek 

1822 

7 

7 

1             Brush  Creek 

1823 
1824 

13 
13 

1 
1 

12 

12 

2             ....         Wheeling 
1             ....         Nashville 

1825 

31 

19 

12 

2             Frankfort 

1826 

52 

36 

16 

1             Smithland 

1827 

25 

19 

6 

1             ....         Economy 

1828 

31 

28 

3 

6             ....         Brownsville 

1829 

53 

53 

3             ...         Portsmouth 

1830 

30 

30 

2             Steubenville 

1831 

9 

9 

2             ....         Beaver 

1             ....          St  Louis 

3             New  York 

1             ....         Philadelphia 

10             Not  known 

348 

198 

150* 

198f 

*  Of  the  150  lost  or  worn  out,  (here  were: — 

Worn  out     .  .  .  .63 

Lost  by  "  snags"      .  .  .36 

Burnt  .  .  .14 

Lost  by  collision     ...  3 

By  other  accidents,  not  ascertained         24 

Total  150 

f  Ot  this  whole  number,  111  were  built  at  Cincinnati,  68  of  which  were  run 
ning  in  1831. 


218 


Expenses  to  each  State  of  its  Judiciary,  including  the  Territories 
and  District  of  Columbia. 


Maine 

New  Hampshire 

Vermont,  about 

Massachusetts 

Rhode  Island,*  about 

Connecticut! 

New  YorkJ 

New  Jersey 

Pennsylvania  § 

Delaware 

Maryland 

Virginiall 

North  Carolina^ 

South  Carolina 


Dollars. 

10,000 

Georgia** 

7,800 

Alabama 

6,000 

Mississippi 

29,800 

Louisiana,  about 

2,000 

Tennessee 

6,158 

Kentuckytt 

26,500 

OhiojJ 

3,400 

Indiaria§§ 

50,666 

Illinois 

5,500 

Missouri 

23,000 

District  of  Columbiallll 

12,720 

Florida 

12,900 

Michigan 

34,072 

Arkansas 

130,416 

Dollars. 

16,800 

12,250 

12,000 

20,000 

22,700 

20,900 

13,800 

7,000 

4,700 

8,300 

9,000 

6,000 

6,000 

6,000 

165,450 


Total       .       395,866  Dollars. 


*  In  Rhode  Island  some  of  the  judges  are  paid  by  fees. 

I  In  Connecticut  county  courts  the  chief  judges  have  three  and  a  half  dollars 
per  diem;  associate  judges,  three  dollars  during  session,  and  nine  cents  per  mile 
tor  their  journeys. 

\  In  New  York,  the  registers,  reporters,  and  clerks  of  Chancery  and  Superior 
Courts  are  paid  by  fees. 

§  In  Pennsylvania,  the  prothonotaries  paid  by  fees;  judges  of  Superior  Courts, 
when  travelling,  four  dollars  per  diem. 

||  In  Virginia,  the  judges  receive  one  quarter  of  a  dollar  per  mile,  for  travelling, 
additional. 

H  In  North  Carolina  there  are  some  fees. 

**  In  Georgia  some  fees. 

ft  In  Kentucky  there  are  some  fees. 

J|  In  Ohio  there  are  fees,  and  associate  judges  in  each  county  court  receive 
two  and  a  half  dollars  per  diem  during  courts. 

§§  In  Indiana,  the  associates  get  two  dollars  per  diem. 

Illl  In  the  district  of  Columbia  there  are  fees  also. —  W.  G.  O. 


219 


Colleges  in  the  United  States. 


Name. 

Place. 

IVY  hen 
founded.  | 

vJ 

Number  ol 
Alumni. 

Number  ot 
Ministers.  | 

c 

OQ 

Jowdoin 

Brunswick,  Maine 

794 

7 

392 

39 

137 

Waterville 

Waterville,       Do 

820 

5 

60 

19 

45 

)artmouth 

EFanover  N.  Hampshire 

770 

9 

2250 

530 

153 

Jni  versify  of  Vermont 
Middlebury 

Turlington,  Vermont 
Middlebury,     Do 

791 
800 

4 
5 

182 
509 

205 

36 
99 

[arward  University 

Cambridge,  Massachusetts 

638 

24 

5621 

1424 

236 

Williams 

Williamstown,        Do 

793 

7 

721 

215 

115 

Amherst 

\mherst,                  Do 

821 

10 

208 

52 

188 

Brown  University 
Yale 

-*rovidcnce,  Rhode  Island 
S"ew  Haven,  Connecticut 

764 
700 

6 

15 

1182 

4428 

442 
1257 

95 

346 

Washington 

iartford,                Do 

826 

9 

25 

70 

Wesleyan  University 

Middletown,         Do 

831 

5 

Columbia 

New  York,  New  York 

754 

6 

8SO 

124 

Jnion 

Schenectady,        Do 

795 

to 

1373 

268 

205 

iamilton 

Clinton,                 Do 

812 

7 

189 

20 

77 

Geneva 

Geneva,                 Do 

823 

6 

15 

6 

31 

College  of  New  Jersey, 

Princeton,  New  Jersey 

74610 

1930 

406 

105 

lutgers 

!^ew  Brunswick,    Do 

770 

5 

70 

Jniversity  of  Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania 

755 

9 

125 

)ickinson 

Carlisle,                   Do 

783    4 

21 

Tefferson 

Danonsburg,            Do 

802    7 

341 

136 

120 

Western  University 
Washington 

Pittsburg,                 Do 
Washington,            Do 

1820 
806 

4 
4 

45 

143 

13 

26 

53 

47 

Allegheny 

Vleadviile,               Do 

815 

3 

9 

6 

Madison 

Union  Town,          Do 

829 

5 

70 

St  Mary's* 

Baltimore,  Maryland 

799 

IS 

147 

University  of  Maryland 
St  Johns 

Do             Do 

Annapolis,        Do 

1812 
1784 

11 

636 

76 

Vlount  St  Mary's* 

Near  Emmittsburg,   Do 

1830 

75 

12 

130 

Columbian 

Washington,  Capital 

1821 

4 

5C 

Georgetown* 
William  and  Mary 
tiampden  Sydney 
Washington 
University  of  Virginia 
University  of  North  Carolina 
Charleston 

Georgetown,  Dist.  Columbia 
Williamsburg,  Virginia 
Prince  Edward  Colony,    Do 
Lexington,               Do 
Charlottesville,       Do 
Chapel  Hill,  North  Carolina 
Charleston,  South  Carolina 

1799 
1693 
1774 
1812 
1819 
1791 
1785 

19 
7 
6 

{ 

( 

7 

380 
538 

4,34 
27 

c 
* 

140 
60 
54 
23 
130 
69 
61 

College  of  South  Carolina 

Columbia,                Do 

1801 

( 

490 

11 

111 

University  of  Georgia 
Alabama  University 
Jefferson 

Athens,  Georgia 
Tuscaloosa,  Alabama 
Washington,  Mississippi 

1785 
1820 
1802 

G 
U 

256 

16 

95 
65 
160 

Louisiana 

Jackson,  Louisiana 

Greenville 

Greenville,  Tennessee 

1794 

32 

University  of  Nashville 

Nashville,          Do 

1806 

t 

93 

95 

E.  Tennessee 

Knoxville,          Do 

2 

21 

Transylvania 
Centre 

Lexington,  Kentucky 
Danville,          Do 

1798 

1822 

( 

L 

19 

9 

93 
66 

Augusta 
Cumberland 

Augusta           Do 
Princeton,       Do 

1823 
1825 

| 

13 

; 

98 

57 

St  Joseph's* 

Bardstown,      Do 

1819 

15 

37 

150 

Georgetown 
University  of  Ohio 
Miami  University 
Western  Reserve 

Georgetown,   Do 
Athens,  Ohio 
Oxford,    Do 
Hudson,   Do 

1830 
1802 
1824 
1826 

1 

60 
51 

26 
( 

32 
57 

82 
25 

220 


Colleges  in  the  United  States. — Continued. 


« 

o    • 

•3d 

^ 

C  ^ 

0 

-  c 

;-   a; 

^j 

V  £ 

Name. 

Place. 

->  I 

3 

1  = 

s  '= 

Ol 

•o 

o 

2  << 

3  _ 

2 

r: 

^ 

C/2 

Kenyon 

Gambier,          Do 

1828 

4 

80 

Frankland 

New  Athens,  Do 

1824 

3 

40 

Indiana 

liloomington,  Indiana 

1827 

3 

4 

51 

Illinois 

Jacksonville,  Illinois 

1830 

3 

35 

St  Louis* 

St  Louis,  Mo. 

1829 

6 

125 

N.B.  Besides  the  Colleges  enumerated  in  the  above  table,  there  are  upwards  of 
twenty  Protestant,  and  several  Catholic  "Theological  Seminaries,"  from  sixteen  to 
twenty  "  Medical  Schools,"  and  Law  Schools  in  several  states. 

Each  of  these  institutions  possesses  a  college  library  and  a  student's  library. 

*  Those  marked  thus  *  are  Catholic  colleges. 

t  Under-graduates,  not  including  medical,  theological,  and  law  students. 


TEXAS. 


THIS  Mexican  province,  which  is  now  becoming  a  subject  of  deep 
interest  in  the  United  States,  is  of  great  extent.  Its  boundaries  and 
superficial  contents  are  thus  stated  in  Darby's  Western  Gazetteer, 
published  in  1818.  The  Texas  "  is  bounded  on  the  west  and  south 
by  the  Rio  del  Porte,  on  the  south  by  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  east  by  the 
state  of  Louisiana,  and  north  by  the  Red  River.  Its  greatest  length 
is  800  miles,  breadth  500,  estimated  by  the  rhombs  on  Mellish's  Map 
to  contain  240,000  square  miles,  and  to  be  equal  in  extent  to  New 
York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  Virginia,  Ohio,  and 
Kentucky." 

In  another  account  it  is  stated,  that  the  width  is  about  400  miles, 
and  length,  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  to  its  northern  limits,  not  as 
certained.  It  is  represented  as  being  extremely  fertile,  producing  a 
great  variety  of  valuable  timber  trees,  and  in  parts  admirably  adap 
ted  for  the  cultivation  of  sugar,  cotton,  indigo,  &-c.;  in  others,  wheat, 
Indian  corn,  &c.,  and  in  others,  excellent  grazing,  and  generally  fa 
vourable  to  the  growth  of  the  vine. 


The  facilities  for  navigation  are  great;  on  one  side  the  gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  the  interior  traversed  by  the  Sabine,  the  Natchez,  the 
Trinity,  the  Brasos,  the  Bernard,  the  Colorado,  the  Rio  Grande,  and 
other  streams  of  minor  importance.  Some  of  these  streams  admit 
of  steam  navigation  for  three  or  four  hundred  miles.  Salt  water  and 
iron  ore  are  abundant.  Some  mines  of  the  precious  metals  are 
already  discovered.  Profusion  of  game  and  wild  horses,  mules  and 
cattle,  buffaloes,  deer,  turkeys,  &c. 

Its  population  consists  of  about  75,000  Mexicans,  including  gar 
risons,  principally  inhabiting  the  villages  of  St  Antonio  and  Nacog- 
doches;  but  the  emigrants  from  the  United  States  amount  to  Jive  or 
six  thousand  souls :  more  than  half  of  these  are  "  located"  on 
"  Austin's  land,"  the  remainder  principally  occupy  ungranted  lands. 
An  experience  of  seven  or  eight  years  has  proved  the  soil  and  crops 
to  be  equal  to  those  of  any  part  of  the  world. 

A  writer  in  one  of  the  best  conducted  papers  in  the  United  States 
(Walsh's  National  Gazette)  thus  significantly  expresses  himself  with 
regard  to  the  Texas:  "  The  country  above  described,  we  contend, 
should  belong  to  the  United  States  if  its  procurement  be  possible." 
He  then  gives  reasons  for  supposing  its  acquisition  possible, — the 
financial  embarrassment  and  unquiet  state  of  the  politics  of  Mexico, 
&c. ,  and  urges  as  motives  for  attempting  its  annexation  to  the 
United  States,  its  being  necessary  to  the  security  of  Louisiana, 
Arkansa,  &c.  "  Ml  Texas  was  once  ours.  The  Rio  Grande  del 
Norte  was  then  our  western  boundary.  To  any  one  acquainted 
with  this  country,  it  seems  as  if  this  river  was  designated  by  the 
hand  of  Heaven,  as  a  boundary  between  two  great  nations  of  dis 
similar  pursuits,  &c."  And  further,  so  important  was  it  deemed 
by  the  American  government  to  prevent  contiguous  settlements  of 
the  two  governments,  that  in  their  negotiation  with  Spain  in  1805, 
in  relation  to  their  western  limits,  it  was  urged  by  the  United  States 
to  lay  off  a  territory  of  immense  extent,  to  remain  for  ever  neutral 
and  unsettled.  (See  Letter  of  Messrs  Monroe  and  Pinckney  to  M. 
Cevallos,  Spanish  Minister.  American  State  Papers,  vol.  xii.  243.) 
It  is  also  urged,  that  the  possession  of  the  Texas  is  necessary,  in 
order  to  prevent  it  from  being  a  place  of  refuge  for  "  debtors,  male 
factors,  and  fugitive  slaves  from  the  United  States;"  and  that  it  is 
necessary,  in  order  to  keep  Texas  out  of  the  hands  of  "  those  who 
would  be  more  troublesome  than  its  present  proprietors  :"  this  writer 


222 


says,  that  "  a  distinguished  Englishman  has  already  obtained  a  grant 
of  land  in  Texas,  sufficient  to  contain  a  population  of  one  or  two 
millions  ;"  u  and  who  knows"  adds  this  sagacious  politician,  u  that 
he  is  not  the  secret  agent  of  a  government  ?  The  importance,  also, 
of  being  able  to  supply  the  United  States  with  wine  and  sugar  at  a 
future  period  from  this  magnificent  province,  is  dwelt  upon." 

The  settlement  of  Americans  in  Texas  goes  by  the  name  of  Cap 
tain  Austin's  territory,  as  that  gentleman  has  obtained  a  grant,  with 
some  exclusive  privileges  of  steam  navigation  from  the  Mexican 
government. 


Payment  of  the  Debt  of  the  United  States. 


Principal. 

Interest. 

Total. 

Dollars. 

Dollars. 

Dollars. 

1821 

3,279,821 

5,087,272 

8,367,093 

1822 

2,675,987 

5,172,961 

7,848,949 

1823 

607,331 

4,922,684 

5,530,016 

1824 

11,574,532 

4,993,861 

16,568,393 

1825 

7,725,034 

4,370,309 

12,095,344 

1826 

7,706,601 

3,977,864 

11,045,466 

1827 

6,515,514 

3,476,071 

10,001,585 

1828 

9,064,637 

3,098,867 

12,163,505 

1829 

9,841,024 

2,542,776 

12,383,800 

1830 

9,443,173 

1,912,574 

11,355,748 

From  Mr  Cooper's  Letter,  published  in  Paris,  containing-  a  counter  state 
ment  to  that  in  the  Revue  Britannique. 


223 


RATES  OF  POSTAGE. 

On  a  single  letter  composed  of  one  piece  of  paper: — 

For  any  distance  not  exceeding  30  miles          .  .       6  cents. 

Over  30,  and  not  exceeding       80  .     10 

80,          "          "  150  .  .     12$ 

150,          "  "  400  .  .     18| 

400,          "  .  .     25 

(A  cent  is  a  small  fraction  more  than  a  halfpenny,  English.) 

A  letter  composed  of  two  pieces  of  paper  is  charged  with  double 
these  rates  ;  of  three  pieces,  with  triple ;  and  of  four  pieces,  with 
quadruple.  "  One  or  more  pieces  of  paper,  mailed  as  a  letter,  and 
weighing  one  ounce,  shall  be  charged  with  quadruple  postage ;  and 
at  the  same  rate,  should  the  weight  be  greater." 

NEWSPAPER  POSTAGE. 

For  each  newspaper  not  carried  out  of  the  state  in  which  it  is 
published,  or  if  carried  out  of  the  state,  but  not  carried  over  100 
miles,  1  cent ;  over  100  miles,  and  out  of  the  state  in  which  it  was 
published,  \k  cent. 

MAGAZINES  AND  PAMPHLETS. 

Cents. 
If  published  periodically,  distance  not  exceeding  100  miles,  li  per  sheet. 

"  "  .         over        .          100     "      2i 

If  not  published  periodically,  dist.  not  exceeding  100     "      4 

"  "  .         over        .          100     "      6 

Every  printed  pamphlet  or  magazine  which  contains  more  than 
twenty-four  pages,  on  a  royal  sheet,  or  any  sheet  of  less  dimensions, 
shall  be  charged  by  the  sheet ;  and  small  pamphlets,  printed  on  "  a 
half  or  quarter  sheet,  of  royal  or  less  size,  shall  be  charged  with  half 
the  amount  of  postage  charged  on  a  full  sheet." 

The  postage  on  ship  letters,  if  delivered  at  the  office  where  the 
vessel  arrives,  is  six  cents;  if  conveyed  by  post,  two  cents  in  ad 
dition  to  the  ordinary  postage. 


224 


PRIVILEGE    OP   FRANKING. 

Letters  and  packets  to  and  from  the  following  officers  of  the 
government,  are  by  law  received  and  conveyed  by  post,  free  of 
postage. 

The  president  and  vice-president  of  the  United  States;  secretaries 
of  state,  treasury,  war,  and  navy;  attorney-general;  post-master- 
general,  and  assistant  post-master-general;  comptrollers,  auditors, 
registrar,  and  solicitor  of  the  treasury;  treasurer;  commissioner  of 
the  general  land  office;  commissioners  of  the  navy  board;  commiss 
ary-general;  inspectors-general;  quarter-master-general;  paymaster- 
general;  superintendent  of  the  Patent  Office;  speaker  and  clerk  of 
the  House  of  Representatives;  president  and  secretary  of  the  Senate; 
and  any  individual  who  shall  have  been,  or  may  hereafter  be,  pre 
sident  of  the  United  States;  and  each  may  receive  newspapers  by 
post,  free  of  postage. 

Each  member  of  the  senate,  and  each  member  and  delegate  of 
the  House  of  Representatives,  may  send  and  receive,  free  of  postage, 
newspapers,  letters,  arid  packets,  weighing  not  more  than  two 
ounces  (in  case  of  excess  of  weight,  excess  alone  to  be  paid  for), 
and  all  documents  printed  by  order  of  either  House,  during  and 
sixty  days  before  and  after  each  session  of  congress. 

Post-masters  may  send  and  receive,  free  of  postage,  letters  and 
packets  not  exceeding  half  an  ounce  in  weight;  and  they  may  re 
ceive  one  daily  newspaper  each,  or  what  is  equivalent  thereto. 

Printers  of  newspapers  may  send  one  paper  to  each  and  every 
other  printer  of  newspapers  within  the  United  States,  free  of  postage, 
under  such  regulations  as  the  post-master-general  may  provide. 


225 


NEWSPAPERS  IN  NEW  YORK. 

Number  of  newspapers  published  in  this  state,  according  to 
"  Williams's  New  York  Annual  Register,"  in  1831,  was  237;  54  in 
city  of  New  York,  and  185  in  other  parts  of  the  state;  16  daily,  and 
48  avowedly  anti-masonic  * 

NUMBER    OF    SHEETS   ISSUED  FROM    THE  FIFTY-FOUR   PRESSES  IN   THE 
CITY    OF   NEW    YORK. 

Eleven  daily  papers  (average  1,456  each  in  one  day)  .                        4,944,000 

Ten  semi- weekly  ditto  (average  1,880  each  in  one  day)  .                 .      1,955,200 

Twenty-six  weekly  ditto    .  .         .      2,600,000 

Six  semi-monthly,  and  one  monthly      .  •  36,800 

Total  number  of  sheets  printed  annually  .         .  9,536,000 

Estimated  number  (185  papers)  in  other  parts  of  the  state  .       5,000,000 

Total  14,536,000 


COPYRIGHT. 

Copyright  is  secured  in  the  United  States  for  fourteen  years, 
by  depositing  and  recording  the  title  of  any  work,  map,  chart,  &,c. 
at  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  district;  and  can  be  renewed  by  the 
author,  his  executors  or  assigns,  at  the  end  of  that  term,  for  a  fur 
ther  period  of  fourteen  years. — Vide  "Act  for  the  Encouragement 
of  Learning."  Judge  Story's  Statutes  of  the  United  States. 

*  This  has  now  become  a  party  watch-word,  but  originated  in  a  just  feeling  of 
detestation  at  a  murderous  outrage  committed  by  some  free-masons  a  few  years 
ago. 


226 


Number  of  Bishops  in  the  United  States,  and  their  Residences,  or 

Diocesses. 

SIXTEEN     PROTESTANT    BISHOPS: — VIZ. 

Diocesses.  Diocesses. 

Eastern  Diocess,  or  N.  England.  Virginia. 

Connecticut.  South  Carolina. 

New  York.  Georgia. 

New  Jersey.  Louisiana. 

Pennsylvania.  Mississippi. 

Delaware.  Tennessee. 

Maryland.  Kentucky. 

North  Carolina.  Ohio. 

Bishops  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ROMAN    CATHOLIC    BISHOPS. 

Residence. 
Baltimore     - 
Boston 
New  York    - 
Philadelphia 

Do. 
Charleston  - 

One  Archbishop,  nine  Bishops,  and  two  Coadjutors. 


Residence. 

Archbishop. 
Bishop. 
Do. 

Mobile           -     - 
New  Orleans 
Bardstown     -     - 

Bishop. 
Do. 
Do. 

Do. 

Coadjutor. 
Bishop. 

Do. 
Cincinnati     -     - 
St  Louis        -     - 

Coadjutor. 
Bishop. 
Do. 

THE    END 


JUST   PUBLISHED  BY  CAREY  &  LEA. 


PRIVATE     MEMOIRS    OF    NAPOLEON 
BONAPARTE,  from  the    French   of    M. 
FAUVELET  DE  BOURRIENNE,  Private  Secre 
tary  to  the   Emperor.     SECOND  AMERICAN 
EDITION,  complete  in  one  volume. 
V  This   edition  contains  almost  a  fourth 
more  matter  than  the  previous  one,  as  in  order 
|  to  render  it  as  perfect  as  possible,  extracts  have 
been  given  from  the  Memoirs  from  St.  Helena, 
Official  Reports,  &c.  &c.  in  all  cases  where 
|  they  differ  from  the  statements  of  M.  de  Bour- 
rienne. 

"  This  English  translation,  which  has  been 
very  faithfully  rendered,  is  still  more  valuable 
than  the  original  work,  as  upon  all  points  where 
any  obliquity  from  other  published  recitals  oc 
curs,  the  translator  has  given  several  accounts, 
and  thus,  in  the  form  of  notes,  we  are  present 
ed  with  the  statements  obtained  from  Napo 
leon's  own  dictation  at  St.  Helena,  from  the 
Memoirs  of  the  Duke  of  Rovigo,  of  General 
Rapp,  of  Constant,  from  the  writings  of  the 
Marquis  of  Londonderry,  &c\" — U.  Ser.  Jour. 
"  Those  who  desire  to  form  a  correct  esti 
mate  of  the  character  of  one  of  the  most  extra 
ordinary  men  "  that  ever  lived  in  the  tide  of 
time,"  will  scarcely  be  without  it.  The  present 
edition  possesses  peculiar  advantages. 

The  peculiar  advantages  of  position  in  re 
gard  to  his  present  subject,  solely  enjoyed  by 
M.  de  ^Bourrienne,  his  literary  accomplish 
ments  and  moral  qualifications,  have  already 
obtained  for  these  memoirs  the  first  rank  in 
contemporary  and  authentic  history.  In 
France,  where  they  had  been  for  years  ex 
pected  with  anxiety,  and  where,  since  the 
revolution,  no  work  connected  with  that  peri 
od  or  its  consequent  events  has  created  so 
great  a  sensation,  the  volumes  of  Bourrienne 
save,  from  the  first,  been  accepted  as  the 
only  trustworthy  exhibition  of  the  private  life 
and  political  principles  of  Napoleon. 

"  We  know  from  the  best  political  authority 
tow  living  in  England,  that  the  writer's  ac 
counts  are  perfectly  corroborated  by  facts." — 
Lit.  Gaz. 

"  The  only  authentic  Life  of  Napoleon  ex 
tant." — Courier. 

"  This  splendid  publication,  that  literally 
leaves  nothing  to  be  desired." — Atlas. 

"  These  volumes  may  be  read  with  all  the 
interest  of  a  romance." — Courier. 

"  No  person  who  is  desirous  rightly  to  ap 
preciate  the  character  of  Bonaparte,  will  ne 
glect    the     perusal   of  this  work;    whoever 
wishes  to  know,    not   merely  the  General  or 
the   Emperor,  but    what  the  man  really  was, 
will  find  him  well  pictured  here." — Times. 
"The  completest  personal  recollections 
Napoleon  that  have  appeared." — Morn.  Post 

"  As  a  part  of  the  history  of  the  most  ex 
traordinary  man,  and  the  most  extraordinary 
times  that  ever  invited  elucidation,  these  me 
moirs  must  continue  to  the  latest  ages  to  be 
records  of  invaluable  interest." — Lit.  Gaz. 


THE    BRAVO,  by  the  author  of  the  "  Spy," 

"  Pilot,"  "  Red  Rover,"  &c.  In  2  vols.  12mo. 

"  Let  us  honestly  avow  in  conclusion,  that 
in  addition  to  the  charm  of  an  interesting  fic 
tion  to  be  found  in  these  pages,  there  is  more 
mental  power  in  them,  more  matter  that  sets 
people  thinking,  more  of  that  quality  that  is 
accelerating  the  onward  movement  of  the 
world,  than  in  all  the  Scotch  novels  that  have 
so  deservedly  won  our  admiration." — New 
Monthly  Magazine. 

"  This  new  novel  from  the  pen  of  our 
countryman,  Cooper,  will  win  new  laurels  for 
him.  It  is  full  of  dramatic  interest — "  hair 
breadth  escapes" — animated  and  bustling 
scenes  on  the  canals,  in  the  prisons,  on  the 
Rialto,  in  the  Adriatic,  and  in  the  streets  of 
Venice." — N.  Y.  Courier  cj*  Enquirer. 

"  Of  the  whole  work,  we  may  confidently 
say  that  it  is  very  able — a  performance  of  ge 
nius  and  power." — Nat.  Gazette. 

"  The  Bravo  will,  we  think,  tend  much  to 
exalt  and  extend  the  fame  of  its  author.  We 
have  hurried  through  its  pages  with  an  avidi 
ty  which  must  find  its  apology  in  the  interest 
ing  character  of  the  incidents  and  the  very 
vivid  and  graphic  style  in  which  they  are  de 
scribed." 

By  the  same  author. 
THE    HEIDEN-MAEUR,   or   PAGAN    CAMP. 

In  2  vols.     (In  the  Press.) 
SALMONIA ;  or,  Days  of  Fly  Fishing ;    by 

SIR  HUMPHRY  DAVY. 

"  One  of  the  most  delightful  labors  of  lei 
sure  ever  seen ;  not  a  few  of  the  most  beauti 
ful  phenomena  of  nature  are  here  lucidly  ex 
plained." —  Gentleman 's  Magazine. 

NATURAL    HISTORY    OF     SELBORNE 

AND   ITS  INHABITANTS.     By  the  Rev. 

GILBERT  WHITE.     18mo. 
THE  MECHANISM  OF  THE  HEAVENS,  by 

MRS.  SOMERVILLE.     In  18mo. 

"  We  possess  already  innumerable  dis 
courses  on  Astronomy,  in  which  the  wonders 
of  the  heavens  and  their  laws  are  treated  of; 
but  we  can  say  most  conscientiously  that  we 
are  acquainted  with  none — not  even  La  Place's 
own  beautiful  expose  in  his  System  du  Monde. 
—in  which  all  that  is  essentially  interesting  in 
the  motions  and  laws  of  the  celestial  bodies,  or 
which  is  capable  of  popular  enunciation,  is  so 
admirably,  so  graphically,  or  we  may  add,  so 
unaffectedly  and  simply  placed  before  us.  * 
Is  it  asking  too  much  of  Mrs.  Somerville  to  ex 
press  a  hope  that  she  will  allow  this  beautiful 
preliminary  Dissertation  to  be  printed  sepa- 
ofjrately,  for  the  delight  and  instruction  of  thou 
sands  of  readers,  young  and  old,  who  cannot 
understand,  or  are  too  indolent  to  apply  them 
selves  to  the  more  elaborate  parts  of  the  work  1 
If  she  will  do  this,  we  hereby  promise  to  ex- 
ert  our  best  endeavors  to  make  its  merits 
known." — Literary  Gazette. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


AN   HISTORICAL    INQUIRY    INTO     THE 
PRODUCTION    AND     CONSUMPTION 
OF  THE  PRECIOUS  METALS,  from  the 
Earliest  Ages,  and    into    the  Influence  of 
their  Increase  or  Diminution  on  the  prices 
of    Commodities.      BY     WILLIAM     JACOB, 
Esq.  F.  R.  S.     In  8vo. 
"  Mr.  Jacob's    Historical    Inquiry  into  the 
Production  and  Consumption  of  the  Precious 
Metals  is  one  of  the  most  curious  and  import 
ant  works  which  has  lately  issued  from  the 
press.     The  influence  of  the  precious  metals 
on  the  industry  of  mankind  is  acknowledged 
to  be  great ;  though,  perhaps,  the  notions  re 
specting  the  precise    mode   of   its  operation 
were  obscure,  and  undoubtedly  the  history  o 
its  effects  had  never  been  traced  with   accu 
racy  and  ingenuity.     Mr.  Huskisson,  who  hac 
maintained  a  friendship   with  Mr.  Jacob  for 
more  than  five-and-twenty  years,  first  put  tli 
author  on  the  investigation ;  it  is  one  of  th 
minor  obligations  which  the  country  owes  to 
that  enlightened  statesman." — Spectator. 

"It  was  written  at  the  suggestion  of  the 
late  Mr.  Huskisson,  and  displays  the  fruits  o 
much  industry  and  research,  guided  by  a  sound 
judgment,  and  embodying  more  learning  than 
is  usually  brought  to  bear  on  statistical  or  eco 
nomical  subjects.    We  recommend  the  book  to 
general  attention." — Times,  Sept.  2,1831. 
NARRATIVE    OF    A    VOYAGE     TO    THE 
PACIFIC  AND  BEHRING'S  STRAIT,  to 
co-operate  with  the  Polar  Expeditions :  per 
formed  in  His  Majesty's   ship  Blossom,  un 
der  the  command  of  Capt.  F.  W.  Beechey, 
R.  N.  in  the  years  1825,  26,  27,  23.    In  8vo. 
"  The  most  interesting  of  the  whole  series 
of  expeditions  to  the  North  Pole." — Quarter 
ly  Review. 

^  "  This   expedition  will  be  forever  mernora 
ble  as  one  which  has  added  immensely  to  our 

knowledge  of  this  earth  that  we  inhabit." 

BlacktoootTs  Mag. 

"  Captain  Beecliey's  work  is  a  lasting  mon 
ument  of  his  own  abilities,  and  an  honor  to 
his  country." — Lit.  Gaz. 
A  GENERAL  VIEW  o?   THE  PROGRESS 
OF    ETHICAL     PHILOSOPHY,    chiefly 
during    the    Seventeenth   and    Eighteenth 
centuries.     By   SIR    JAMES    MACKINTOSH, 
M.  P.     In  8vo. 
"  This,  in  our  humble  opinion,  is  the  best  off 
spring  of  the  pen  of  an  author  who  in  philoso 
phical  spirit,  knowledge  and  reflection,  rich 
ness  of  moral  sentiment,  and  elegance  of  style, 
has  altogether  no  superior— perhaps  no  equal 
— among  his  contemporaries.     Some  time  ago 
we  made  copious  extracts  from  the  beautiful 
work.     We  could  not  recommend  the  whole 
too  earnestly."—  National  Gazette. 
HISTORY   OF   ENGLAND,  by   SIR   JAMES 
MACKINTOSH.  Octavo  edition.    In  the  press. 
V  Tho  first  volume  of  this  edition  will  contain  the 
*anie  matter  as  the  first  3  volumes  of  the  18mo  edition. 


•ARDNETTS  CABINET  CYCLOPAEDIA 


HISTORY  OF  THE  RISE,  PROGRESS 
AND  PRESENT  STATE  OF  THE  SIL1 
MANUFACTURE;  with  numerous  er 
gravings. 

"  It  contains  abundant  information  in  ever 
department  of  this  interesting  branch  of  hi 
man  industry — in  the  history,  culture,  an 
manufacture  of  silk." — Monthly  Magazine. 

"  There  is  a  great  deal  of  curious  informj 
tion  in  this  little  volume." — Lit.  Gazette. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  ITALIAN  REPUBLICS 
by  J.  C.  L.  SISMONDI. 

HISTORY  OF  MARITIME  AND    INLAN 
DISCOVERY.     In  3  vols.     (In  the  press. 
"  This  book  abounds  with  curious  inform; 
tion." —  Gentleman 's  Magazine. 

"  The  whole  work  is  so  filled  with  variei 
and  excellence,  that  any  ten  of  its  pages  whk 
we  might  quote,  would  prove  to  readers  th 
they  ought  not  to  be  satisfied  with  less  thf 
all." — Lit.  Gazette. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  RISE,  PROGRESS,  AJ 
PRESENT  STATE  OF  THE  MANUFA< 
TURES  or  PORCELAIN  AND  GLAS 

With  numerous  wood  cuts.     (In  the  press 

HISTORY  OF  THE  RISE,  PRGGRES 
AND  PRESENT  STATE  OF  THE  IRQ 
AND  STEEL  MANUFACTURE.  (In  press 
"  This  volume  appears  to  contain  all  usef 

information  on  the  subject  of  which  it  treats 

— Lit.  Gazette. 

BIOGRAPHY  OF  BRITISH  STATESMEN 

containing  the  Lives  of  Sir  Thomas  Mor 

by  SIR  JAMES  MACKINTOSH  ;  Cardinal  We 

sey,  Archbishop  Cranmer,  and  Lord  Burleig 

"  A  very  delightful  volume,  and  on  a  subje 

likely  to  increase  in  interest  as  it  proceed 

*  *  *  We  cordially  commend  the  work  bo 

for  its  design  and   execution." — Lonuun  L\ 

Gazette. 

"  The  life  of  More,  being  from  the  pen 
Sir  James  Mackintosh,  engaged  and  fully  r 
warded  our  attention.  It  is  a  rich  theme,  ar 
has  been  treated  with  the  lofty  philosophic 
spirit  and  literary  skill  which  distinguish  tf 
writings  of  Sir  Jarnes." — Nat.  Gazette. 

"  We  are  certain,  that  no  one  can  rise  fro 
the  perusal  of  the  work,  without  having  h 
understanding  enlarged,  and  the  best  affectioi 
of  his  heart  improved."— Album. 

"  A  most  interesting  and  valuable  volume, 
— Gent.  Magazine. 

ELEMENTS  OF  OPTICS.  By  DAVID  BEEV 

STER.     18mo.  (In  the  press.) 

"  The  author  has  given  proof  of  his  wel 
known  industry,  and  extensive  acquaintanc 
with  the  results  of  science  in  every  part  o 
Europe." — Monthly 

"  The  subject  is,  as 
rented,  and  clear! 


is,  as  might  be  expected,  abl 
rly  illustrated." — U.  S.  Join 


FAMILY  CABINET  ATLAS. 


In  preparation. 

HE  FAMILY  CABINET  ATLAS,  CON 
STRUCTED  UPON  AN  ORIGINAL  PLAN:  Being 
a  Companion  to  the  Encyclopedia  Ameri 
cana,  Cabinet  Cyclopaedia,  Family  Library, 
Cabinet  Library,  &c. 

fiis  Atlas  comprises,  in  a  volume  of  the  Family  Library 
size,  nearly  100  Maps  and  Tables,  which  present  equal 
to  F;fty  Thousand  Names  of  Places;  a  body  of  informa 
tion  three  times  as  extensive  as  that  supplied  by  the 
generality  of  Quarto  Atlases. 

Opinions  of  the  Public  Journals. 
"This  beautiful  and  most  useful  little  volume,"  says 
ic  Literary  Gazette,  "  is  a  perfect  picture  of  elegance, 
>ntaining  a  vast  sum  of  geographical  information.     A 
ore  instructive  little  present,  or  a  gift  better  calculated 

>  be  long  preserved  and  often  referred  to,  could  not  be 
[Fered  to  favored  youth  of  either  sex.    Its  cheapness,  we 
ust  add,  is  another  recommendation  ;  for,  although  this 
egant   publication  contains  100  beautiful   engravings 

is  issued  at  a  price  that  can  l>2  no  obstacle  to  its  being 
rocured  by  every  parent  and  friend  to  youth." 

"  This  Atlas  far  surpasses  any  thing  of  the  kind  which 

e  have  seen,  and  is  made  to  suit  the  popular  libraries 

hich  Dr.  Lardner  and  Mr.  Murray  are  now  sending  into 
very  family  in  the  empire." — Monthly  Review. 

Its  very'iugenious  method  of  arrangement  secures  to 
ae  geographical  student  the  information  for  which  hith- 
rto  he  has  been  obliged  to  resort  to  works  of  the  largest 
intensions." — Athenccum. 

"  This  miniature  and  beautiful  Atlas  is  likely  to  super- 
3de,  for  general  purposes,  mrps  of  a  more  expensive  and 
labiirate  character.  It  appears  to  us  to  answer  the 
ouble  purpose  of  exercising  the  attention  while  it  im- 
rints  all  that  is  important  in  Geography  on  the  memo 
ir."—  Atlas. 

"The  workmanship  is  among  the  best  of  the  kind  we 
ave  ever  witnessed." — Examiner. 

"  It  contains  all  the  information  to  be  derived  from  the 
lost  expensive  and  unwieldy  Atlas." — York  Courant. 

"  By  a  moment's  reference,  the  exact  situation  of  any 
laee'may  b.3  found." — Birmingham  Journal. 

"An  pxcollont  little  work,  engraved  with  a  clearness 
nd  correctness  which  is  quite  surprising:  when  com- 
lete,  travellers  will  have  a  system  of  Geography  and  a 
Dmplete  Atlao,  which  they  may  carry  in  their  pocket." — 
pectator. 

"  This  is  the  most  perfect  gem  of  an  Atlas  which  has 
ver  been  published."— Bristol  Journal. 

"  It  corresponds  in  size  with  those  popular  publications 

>  which  it  will  form  so  useful  an  addition — namely, 
The  Family   Library,'    'The   Classical   Library,'    and 
Cabinet  Cyclopaedia." — Court  Journal. 

•'  Nothing  could  be  devised  better  calculated  to  impress 
pon  the  mind  a  knowledge  of  the  general  principles  of 
eography,  than  the  plan  of  this  publication." — The 
'•rarder. 

"  It  will  be  a  crying  shame  in  this  age  of  intellect,  if 
lis  able  and  beautiful  work  be  not  extensively  patron- 
:ecl ;  but  we  cannot  doubt  the  success  which  we  feel 
ssured  its  intrinsic  merits  must  secure  to  it." — Intelli- 
encer. 

"  It  is  scarcely  in  the  nature  of  things,  that  a  work  of 
)  much  public  service  should  fail  in  meeting  with  that 
stensive  patronage  which  can  alone  remunerate  the 
rojectors." — Leeds  Intelligencer. 

"  The  plates  are  beautifully  executed ;  and  the  geo- 
rapliical  student  may  obtain  "in  this  little  work,  such  is 
yj  excellence  of  its  arrangement,  as  much  information 
s  he  could  gain  by  wading  through  several  books  of  far 
reater  bulk." — Weekly  Dispatch. 

"  We  have  seldom  seen  a  work  so  perfect  in  its  arrange- 
lent,  and  so  elegant  in  its  execution." — York  Courant. 

"For  the  accuracy  of  its  delineation,  and  the  extent 
ftho  information  which  it  conveys,  it  stands  without 

rival  in  English  topography." — Freeman's  Journal. 

"The  plan"  of  this  useful  and  elegant  work  may,  in- 
Red,  bo  called  original.  The  style  ami  execution  of  the 
laps  are  of  the  first  character." — Woolmer's  Exeter  and 
'lymouth  Gazette. 

"This  work  is  one  of  the  most  usefil  publications 
'hich  has  yet  issued  from  the  press ;  it  will  be  an  unique 
nd  brilliant  accession  to  th'j  library,  and  a  very  useful 
fork  to  the  student  in  geography." — Reading  Jllcrcur'j 
nd  Oxford  Gazette. 

"  Its  qualifications  will  render  it  one  of  the  most  popti- 
\r,  highly  interesting,  and  useful  publications  of  the 
ay." — Liverpool  Courier. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


MEMOIRS  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  SIR  WALTER 
RALEGH,  with  some  account  of  the  Period 
in  which  he  lived.  By  Mrs.  A.  T.  THOMSON. 
With  a  portrait. 

"  Such  is  the  outline  of  a  life,  which,  in  Mrs.  Thom 
son's  hands,  is  a  mine  of  interest ;  from  the  first  page 
to  the  last  the  ai ienlioa  is  roused  and  sustained,  and 
while  we  approve  the  manner,  we  still  more  applaud 
the  spirit  in  which  it  is  executed." — Literary  Gazette. 

"In  all  respects  a  most  appropriate  volume  for  the 
Cabinet  Library.  We  shal-1  take  an  opportunity  in 
another  notice,  to  give  some  of  the  many  interesting 
passages  in  the  volume  that  offer  themselves  for 
quotation." — JV.  1~.  American. 

"  Mrs.  Thomson  has  written  a  very  interesting  book. 
It  takes  what  we  are  inclined  to  think,  a  just,  and  at 
the  same  time,  favorable  view  of  Ralegh,  and  is  oc 
cupied  beside  with  many  entertaining  and  illustrative 
anecdotes." — Craftsman. 

"  Presents  in  a  concise  but  succinct  style  the  variety 
of  incidents  connected  with  the  life  of  the  distinguish 
ed  subject  of  the  memoir." — National  Journal. 

"The  book  is  unquestionably  the  best  Life  of  Ra 
legh  that  has  ever  been  written." — Album. 

"  This  is  a  piece  of  biography  which  combines  the 
fascinations  of  romance  with  the  deeper  interest  that 
attaches  to  historical  narrative." — Southern  Patriot. 


ELEGANT  LIBRARY  EDITIONS 


OF   THE   FOLLOWING    WORKS. 


WORKS  OF  JOANNA  BAILLIE. 

COMPLETE    IX   ONE   VOLUME,   8?O. 

In  the  press. 

WORKS  OF  HENRY  FIELDING. 

IN   TWO   VOLUMES   8vO.,     WITH   A   PORTRAIT. 


WORKS  OF  TOBIAS  SMOLLETT. 

lit   TWO   VOLUMES   8vO.,   WITH   A   PORTRAIT. 

In  the  press. 


SELECT  SPEECHES 

OF   THE 

RIGHT  HONORABLE  GEORGE  CANNING. 

EDITED  BY  ROBERT  WALSH,  ESQ. 
WITH  A  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND    CRITICAL    INTRODUCTION, 

BY  THE  EDITOR. 
IN   ONE   TOLUME   8rO. 

In  the  press. 


SELECT  SPEECHES 

OF   THE 

RIGHT  HONORABLE  WILLIAM  HUSKISSON, 

AND   OF   THE 

RIGHT  HONORABLE  WILLIAM  WINDHAM. 

EDITED  EY  ROBERT  WALSH,  ESQ. 
WITH  A  BIOGRAPHICAL    AND   CRITICAL    INTRODUCTION, 

BY    TIIK    EDITOR. 

IN    ONE   VOLUME   8?O. 

In  the  vress. 


MEDICINE,  SURGERY,  &c. 


SURGICAL  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  CAM 
PAIGNS  OF  RUSSIA,  GERMANY,  AND 
FRANCE.  Translated  from  the  French 
of  BARON  LARREY.  In  8vo.  with  plates. 
A  MANUAL  OF  MEDICAL  JURISPRU 
DENCE,  compiled  from  the  best  Medical 
and  Legal  Works;  comprising  an  account 
of— I.  The  Ethics  of  the  Medical  Profes 
sion  ;  II.  Charters  and  Laws  relative  to  the 
Faculty;  and  HI.  All  Medico-legal  Ques 
tions,  with  the  latest  Decisions:  being  an 
Analysis  of  a  course  of  Lectures  on  Foren 
sic  Medicine.  By  MICHAEL  RYAN,  M.  D. 
Member  of  the  Royal  College  of  Physi 
cians  in  London,  &c.  First  American  edi 
tion,  with  additions,  by  R.  EGLERFIELD 
GRIFFITH,  M.  D.  In  8vo. 
"There  is  not  a  fact  of  importance  or  value  con 
nected  with  the  Science  of  which  it  treats,  that  is  not 
to  he  found  in  its  pages.  The  style  is  unambitious  but 
clear  and  strong,  and  such  as  becomes  a  philosophic 
theme." — Monthly  Review. 

'  It  is  invaluable  to  Medical  Practitioners,  and  may 
be  consulted  safely  by  the  Legal  Profession." — Weekly 
Dispatch. 

DIRECTIONS  FOR  MAKING   ANATOM 
ICAL   PREPARATIONS,  formed  on   the 
basis  of  Pole,  Marjolin,  and  Breschet,  and 
including  the  new  method  of  Mr.  Swan:  by 
USHER  PARSONS,  M.  D.  Professor  of  Anat 
omy  and  Surgery.   In  1  vol.  8vo.  with  plates. 
"  It  is  compiled  and  prepared  with  judgment,  and  is 
the  best  and  most  economical  companion  the  student 
can  possess  to  aid  him  in  the  pursuit  of  this  delightful 
department  of  his  labors." — Bost.  Med.  &  Surg.Journ. 
Sept..  27,  1831. 

"This  is  unquestionably  one  of  the  most  useful 
works  on  the  preparation  of  Anatomical  Specimens 
ever  published.  It  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every 
lover  of  Anatomy;  and  as  attention  now  is  more  di 
rected  to  the  formation  of  museums,  it  will  be  found  a 
very  valuable  book.  Nothing  is  omitted  that  is  im 
portant,  and  many  new  formulae  are  introduced,  de 
rived  from  the  author's  experience,  and  from  rare 
books,  which  he  has  had  the  industry  to  collect." — 
Ar.  Y.  Medical  Journal,  August,  1831. 

A  PRACTICAL  GUIDE  TO  OPERATIONS 
ON  THE  TEETH,  by  JAMES  SNELL,  Dentist. 
In  Svo.  with  plates. 

PRINCIPLES  OF  PHYSIOLOGICAL  MED 
ICINE,  including  Physiology,  Pathology, 
and  Therapeutics,  in  the  form  of  Proposi 
tions,  and  commentaries  on  those  relating 
to  Pathology,  by  F.  J.  V.  BROUSSAIS,  &c. ; 

.  translated  by  ISAAC  HAYS,  M.  D.  and  R.  E. 
GRIFFITH,  M.  D.  In  8vo. 

ELEMENTS  OP  PHYSIOLOGY,  by  ROBLEY 
DUNGLISON.  In  2  vols.  Svo.  with  numerous 
illustrations.  (In  the  press.) 

PRINCIPLES  OF  SURGERY,  by  JOHN  SYME, 
Professor  of  Surgery  in  the  University  of 
Edinburgh.  In  8vo. 

PRACTICAL  REMARKS  ON  THE  NATURE 
AND  TREATMENT  OF  FRACTURES  OF 
THIS  TRUNK  AND  EXTREMITIES;  by 
JOSEPH  AMESBURY,  Surgeon.  In  Svo.  with 
plates  and  wood-cuts.  (In  the  press.) 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


GREEK  AND  ENGLISH  LEXICON.  By  ] 
DONNEGAN.  Abridged  for  the  use  of  so  hoc' 
In  1  vol.  royal  18mo.  containing  nearly  G( 
pages. 

This  work  is  printing  on  a  handsome  distinct  tyj 
and  will  contain  as  much  matter  as  many  of  the  larg 
lexicons;  but  owing  to  the  ibrm  in  which  it  is  print* 
will  be  sold  at  such  price  as  to  be  within  the  rea 
6f  all  students.  It  will  offer  more  advantages  to  t! 
young  student  than  any  other  lexicon  now  in  use.  T 
vocabulary  is  more  extensive  and  complete — compr 
ng  not  only  words  found  in  the  classics,  but  also  su 
as  are  found  in  the  writings  of  Hippocrates  and  t! 
Greek  Physicians.  The  meanings  attached  to  wror 
by  the  several  writers  are  also  given. 

Words  are  given  in  alphabetical  order  in  eve 
poetical  and  dialectic  variety. 

The  conjugation  of  verbs  and  flection  of  nouns  a 
more  complete  than  in  other  lexicons ; — the  meanin 
of  words  fuller  and  more  correct — there  being  fi 
a  primary  and  then  a  secondary  meaning,  each  d 
tinguished  from  the  metaphorcial  and  idiomatic 
Phrases  are  also  given  when  they  note  any  peculiar! 
n  signification.  The  etymology  of  words  is  on 
omitted  where  it  is  confused  or  disputed.  There 
nothing  left  out  which  the  young  student  would  fij 
necessary  in  studying  the  Classics,  and  which  wou 
enable  him  to  understand  the  true  meaning  of  a  woi 
In  short,  in  this  work  the  esscniial  advantages  of 
good  Dictionary  are  combined  with  those  ot'  a  go 
Grammar — advantages  not  found  in  any  Greek  a; 
English  lexicon  now  used. 

ELEMENTS  OF  MECHANICS.  By  JAM 
RENWICK,  Esq.  Professor  of  Natural  ai 
Experimental  Philosophy,  Colombia  Colleg 
N.  Y.  In  Svo  with  numerous  en '.-raving 

'We  think  this  decidedly  the  best  treaji  o  en  Ai 
chanics,  which  has  issued  from  the  American  pre 
that  we  have  seen ;  one,  too,  that  is  alike  creditafc 
to  the  writer,  and  to  the  state  of  science  in  this  coi 
try." — American  Quarterly  Review. 

TREATISE  ON  CLOCK  AND  WATCH-M, 
KING,  Theoretical  and  Practical,  1 
THOMAS  REID,  Edinburgh  Honorary  Mei 
her  of  the  Worshipful  Company  of  Cloc 
Makers,  London.  Royal  Svo.  Illustrated  1 
numerous  plates. 

MILLWRIGHT  AND  MILLER'S  GUID 
By  OLIVER  EVANS.  New  Edition,  with  a 
ditions  and  corrections,  by  the  Professor 
Mechanics  in  the  Franklin  Institute  of  Pen 
sylvania,  and  a  description  of  an  improvi 
Merchant  Flour-Mill,  with  engravings, 
C.  &  O.  EVANS. 

GEOLOGICAL  MANUAL.  By  H.  T.  DE  : 
BECHE.  In  Svo,  with  numerous  wood-cu 

"  A  work  of  first-rate  importance  in  the  science 
which  it  relates,  and  which  must  henceforth  take 
place  in  the  library  of  every  student  in  Geology.'1 
Phil.  Magazine. 

"  Mr.  De  la  Beche's  Geological  Manual  is  the  fi 
and  best  Work  of  the  kind,  and  he  has  performed 
task  with  a  perfect  knowledge  of  all  that  has  be 
ascertained  in  Geology,  and  with  considerable  juc 
ment  and  taste  in  the  manner  of  doing  it.  £0  mu 
geological  science  was  never  before  compressed  in 
small  a  •pace."-— Spectator. 


THE  PEOPLE'S  LIBRARY. 

"  The  editors  and  publishers  should  receive  the  thanks  of  the  present  generation,  and  the  gratitude  of 
posterity,  for  being  the  first  to  prepare  in  this  language  what  deserves  to  be  entitled  not  the  ENCYCLO 
PAEDIA  AMERICANA,  but  the  PEOPLE'S  LIBRARY."— A7.  F.  Courier  and  Enquirer. 

Just  Published,  by  Carey  <Sf  Lea, 
And  sold  in  Philadelphia  by  E.  L.  Carey  &  A.  Hart ;  in  New- York  by  G.  $  C.  %  H.  Carvill ;  in  Boston 
by  Carter  $  Hendee ;  in  Baltimore  by  E.  J.  Coale,  $  W.$J.  Neai .  in  Washington  by  Thompson  $  Homans ; 
n  Richmond  by  J.  H.  Nash;  in  Savannah  by  W.  T.  Williams;  in  Charleston  by  W.  H.  Berrelt;  in  New-Orleans 
by  W.  M'Kean ;  in  Mobile  by  Odiorne  fy  Smith ;  and  by  the  principal  booksellers  throughout  the  Union. 
VOLUME  9, -CONTAINING  ABOUT  1,5OO  ARTICLES, 
(To  be  continued  at  intervals  of  three  months,) 
OF  THE 

ENCYCLOPAEDIA  AMERICANA: 

A 

POPULAR   DICTIONARY 


ARTS,  SCIENCES,  LITERATURE,  HISTORY,  AND  POLITICS, 

BROUGHT   DOWN  TO   THE   PRESENT    TIME,    AND    INCLUDING   A   COPIOUS   COLLECTION   OF   ORIGINAL  ARTICLES  IN 

AMERICAN  BIOGRAPHY: 

On  the  basis  of  the  Seventh  Edition  of  the  German 
CONVERSATIONS-LEXICON. 


EDITED  BY  FRANCIS  LIEBER, 

ASSISTED    BY 

EDWARD  WIGGLESWORTH  AND  T.  G.  BRADFORD,  EsaRS. 


IN  TWELVE  LARGE  VOLUMES,  OCTAVO,  PRICE  TO   SUBSCRIBERS,  BOUND  IN  CLOTH, 

TWO  DOLLARS  AND  A  HALF  EACH. 
EACH   VOLUME    CONTAINS    BETWEEN   600    AND   700   PAGES. 


"THE  WORLD-RENOWNED  CONVERSATIONS- 
jEXICON."— Edinburgh,  Review. 

"  To  supersede  cumbrous  Encyclopaedias,  and  put  within 
he  reach  of  the  poorest  man,  a  complete  library,  equal  to 
ibout  forty  or  fifty  good-sized  octavos,  embracing  every 
mssible  subject  of  interest  to  the  number  of  20,000  in  all— 
>rovided  lie  can  spare  either  from  his  earnings  or  his  ex- 
ravagancies,  twenty  cents  a  week,  for  three  years,  a  library 
to  contrived,  as  to  be  equally  suited  to  the  learned  and 
he  unlearned, — the  mechanic — the  merchant,  and  the  pro 
fessional  man." — JV.  Y.  Courier  and  Inquirer. 

"  The  reputation  of  this  valuable  work  has  augmented 
vith  each  volume;  and  if  the  unanimous  opinion  of  the 
>ress,  uttered  from  all  quarters,  be  true,  which  in  this 
nstance  happens  to  be  the  case,  it  is  indeed  one  of  the 
>est  of  publications.  It  should  be  in  the  possession  of 
ivery  intelligent  man,  as  it  is  a  library  in  itself,  cornpris- 
ng  an  immense  mass  of  lore  upon  almost  every  possible 
lubject,  and  in  the  cheapest  possible  form."— JV.  Y.  Mirror. 

"  Witnesses  from  every  part  of  the  country  concurred 
n  declaring  that  the  Encyclopedia  Americana  was  in  a 
air  way  to  degrade  the  dignity  of  learning,  and  especially 
he  learning  of  Encyclopedias,  by  making  it  too  cheap- 
hat  the  multitudes  of  all  classes  were  infatuated  with  it 
n  saying  in  so  many  words  from  the  highest  to  the  low- 
ist,  '  the  mor?  we  see  of  the  work  the  better  \ve  like  it. 
— JV  Y.  Courier  and  Inquirer. 

"The  articles  in  the  present  volume  appear  to  us  to 
•vince  the  same  ability  and  research  winch  gained  so 
avorable  a  reception  for  the  work  at  its  commencement. 
Hie  Appendix  to  the  volume  now  before  us,  containing  an 
iccount  of  the  Indian  Languages  of  America,  must  prove 
lighly  interesting  to  tlie  reader  in  this  country;  and  it  is 
it  once  remarkable  as  a  specimen  of  history  and  philology. 
rhe  work  altogether,  we  may  again  be  permitted  to  ob- 
icrve  reflects  distinguished  credit  upon  the  literary  and 
icientific  character,  as  well  as  the  scholarship  of  our 
sountry."— Charleston  Courier. 

'•  The  copious  information  which  this  work  affords  on 
American  subjects,  fully  justifies  its  title  of  an  American 
Dictionary;  while  at  the  same  time  the  extent,  variety, 
ind  felicitous  disposition  of  its  topics,  make  it  the  most 
jonvenient  and  satisfactory  Encyclopedia  that  we  have 
3ver  seen."— National  Journal. 

"  If  the  succeeding  volumes  shall  equal  in  merit  the 
one  before  us,  we  may  confidently  anticipate  for  the  work 
a  reputation  and  usefulness  which  ought  to  secure  for  it 
the  most  flattering  encouragement  and  patronage."— Fed- 

"  A  compendious  library,  and  inraluable  book  of  refer 
ence."— -JV.  Y.  American. 


"The  variety  of  topics  is  of  course  vast,  and  they  are 
treated  in  a  manner  which  is  at  once  so  full  of  informa 
tion  and  so  interesting,  that  the  work,  instead  of  being 
merely  referred  to,  might  be  regularly  perused  with  as 
much  pleasure  as  profit." — Baltimore  American. 

"We  view  it  as  a  publication  worthy  of  the  age  and  of 
the  country,  and  cannot  Dut  believe  the  discrimination  of 
our  countrymen  will  sustain  the  publishers,  and  well  re 
ward  them" for  thi*  contribution  to  American  Literature." 
— Baltimore  Patriot. 

"  It  reflects  the  greatest  credit  on  those  who  have  been 
concerned  in  its  production,  and  promises,  in  a  variety  of 
respects,  to  !>P  die  best  as  well  as  the  most  compendious 
dictionary  -->f  the  arts,  sciences,  history,  politics,  biogra 
phy,  &c  which  has  yet  been  compiled.  The  style  of  the 
portion  we  have  read  is  terse  and  perspicuous;"  and  it  is 
really  curious  how  so  much  scientific  and  other  informa 
tion  couM  have  been  so  satisfactorily  communicated  in 
such  brief  limits."— JV.  Y.  Evening  Past. 

These  who  can,  by  any  honest  modes  of  economy, 
reserve  the  sum  of  two  dollars  and  fifty  cents  quarterly, 
from  their  family  expenses,  may  pay  for  this  work  as  fast 
as  it  is  published  ;  and  we  confidently  believe  that  they 
will  find  at  the  end  that  they  never  purchased  so  much 
general,  practical,  useful  information  at  su  cheap  a  rate." 
— Journal  of  Education. 

"  If  the  encouragement  to  the  publishers  should  corres 
pond  with  tlie  testimony  in  favor  of  their  enterprise,  and 
the  beautiful  and  faithful  style  of  its  execution,  the  hazard 
of  the  undertaking,  bo!d  as  it  was,  will  be  well  compen 
sated  ;  and  our  libraries  will  be  enriclu.'d  by  the  most  gene 
rally  useful  encyclopedic  dictionary  that  has  been  offered 
to  the  readers  of  the  English  language.  Full  enough  for 
the  general  scholar,  and  plain  enough  for  every  capacity, 
it  is  far  more  convenient,  in  every  view  and  form,  than 
its  more  expensive  and  ponderous  predecessors." — Ameri 
can  Farmer. 

"The  high  reputation  of  the  contributors  to  this  work, 
will  not  fail  to  insure  it  a  favorable  reception,  and  its 
own  merits  will  do  the  rest." — Silliman's  Journ. 

"  The  Encylopcedia  Americana  is  a  prodigious  improve 
ment  upon  all  that  has  gone  before  it ;  a  thing  for  our 
country,  as  well  as  the  country  that  gave  it  birth,  to  be 
proud  of;  an  inexhaustible  treasury  of  useful,  pleasant, 
and  familiar  learn  ing  on  every  possible  subject,  so  arranged 
as  to  be  speedily  and  safely  referred  to  on  emergency,  as 
well  as  on  deliberate  inquiry;  and  better  still,  adapted  to 
the  understanding,  and  put  within  the  reach  of  the  mul 
titude.  *  *  *  The  Encyclopaedia  Americana  is  a  work 
without  wbich  no  library  worthy  of  the  name  can  here 
after  be  made  up." — Yankee. 


ENCYCLOPAEDIA  AMERICANA. 


"The  work  will  be  a  valuable  possession  to  every  family  |      MORE  than  half  of  the  volumes  of  this  work  ar 


or  individual  that  can  afford  to  purchase  it ;  and  we  take 
pleasure,  therefore,  in  extending  the  knowledge  of  its 
merits."— National  Intelligencer. 

"This  work  appears  to  improve  as  it  issues  from  the 
press.  The  number  of  able  writers,  who  contribute  ori 
ginal  matter  in  all  the  departments  of  literature  and  sci 
ence  is  amply  sufficient  to  give  it  celebrity  and  high  char 
acter.  To  men  engaged  in  the  active  pursuits  of  life- 
whose  time  is  precious — this  popular  dictionary  is  a  mos 
valuable  and  ready  mode  of  reference.  It  embraces  brie 
views  and  sketches  of  all  the  late  discoveries  in  faience — 
and  the  present  condition  of  literature,  politics,  &c.  &c 
Every  merchant's  counting-room — every  lawyer's  library 
— every  mechanic — every  farmer  ought  to  possess  a  copy 
of  this  useful  and  valuable  work."— Courier. 

"From  the  specimen  which  has  already  been  given,  we 
have  no  hesitation  in  saying,  that  in  regard  to  intelli 
gence,  skill,  and  faithful  diligence,  it  is  a  work  of  the  very 
highest  order.  We  know  of  no  similar  publication  thai 
can  bear  any  comparison  with  it  for  the  rich  variety  o 
valuable  information,  which  it  condenses  within  so  smal 
a  compass.  It  is  free  from  all  the  narrowness  of  Englisl 
prejudice,  it  contains  many  important  and  interesting 
details  which  can  be  found  in  no  English  production,  anc 
is  a  work  which  could  be  written  by  none  but  German 
scholars,  more  than  two  hundred  of  whom  were  employee 
in  the  original  compilation." — Boston  Observer. 

"  This  cannot  but  prove  a  valuable  addition  to  the  lite 
rature  of  the  age."— Mer.  Advertiser. 

"The  vast  circulation  this  work  has  had  in  Europe 
where  it  has  already  been  reprinted  in  four  or  five  Ian 
guages,  not  to  speak  of  the  numerous  German  editions 
of  which  SEVEN  have  been  published,  speaks  loudly  in 
favor  of  its  intrinsic  merit,  without  which  such  a  celebrity 
could  never  have  been  attained.  To  every  man 
n  public  business,  who  needs  a 


of  reference  on 


correct  and  ample  book 
various  topics  of  science  and  letters,  the 


,-,  .  ,.  -^>i**w    .--1     w^j^ti^u-     ttHVl      IttLUID.     Hie 

fcncyclopcedia  Americana  will  be  almost  invaluable.  To 
individuals  obliged  to  go  to  situations  where  books  are 
neither  numerous  nor  easily  procured,  the  rich  contents 
of  these  twelve  volumes  will  prove  a  mine  which  will 
amply  repay  its  purchaser,  and  be  with  difficulty  exhaust 
ed  ;  and  we  recommend  it  to  ti«jr  patronage  in  the  full 
conviction  of  its  worth.  Indeed,  it  i  "difficult  to  sav  to 
what  class  of  readers  such  a  book  wo^id I  ,  ot  prov?  useful 
nay,  almost  indispensable,  since  it  combines  a  Treat 
amount  of  valuable  matter  in  small  coinwms  anH  it 
moderate  expense,  and  is  in  every  respect  wen  imit*rf  tn 
augment  the  reader's  stock  of  ideas,  and  powers  of  rnn 
versation,  without  severely  taxing  time  or  fctftaSia 
attention."— Am.  Daily  Advertiser. 

"The  department  of  American  Biography,  a  suwect  of 
which  it  should  be  disgraceful  to  be  ignorant  to  th*  f]P 
gree  that  many  are,  is,  in  this  work,  a  promin 
and  has  received  the  attention  of  one  of  the  most  inde 
fatigable  writers  in  this  department  of  literature  which 
the  present  age  can  furnish."— Boston  Courier. 

"According  to  the  plan  of  Dr.  Lieber,  a  desideratu,., 
will  be  supplied ;  the  substance  of  contemporary  know 
ledge  will  be  brought  within  a  small  compass  ;— and  the 
character  and  uses  of  a  manual  will  be  imparted  to  a 
kind  of  publication  heretofore  reserved,  on  stron<*  shelves 
for  occasional  reference.  By  those  who  understand  the 
German  language,  the  Conversation  Lexico 


the 
is  consulted 


ten  times  for  one  application  to  any  English  Encyclope 
dia."—  National  Gazette. 

1  The  volume  now  published  is  not  only  highly  honor 
able  to  the  taste,  ability,  and  industry  of  its  Editors  and 
publishers,  but  furnishes  a  proud  sample  of  the  accuracy 
and  elegance  with  which  the  most  elaborate  and  i 


nt  literary  enterprises  may  now  be  accomplished  in  our 
country.  Of  the  manner  in  which  the  editors  have  thus 
far  completed  their  task,  it  is  impossible,  in  the  course  of 
a  brief  newspaper  article,  to  speak  with  adequate  justice  " 
— Boston  Bulletin. 

It  continues  to  be  particularly  rich  in  the  depart 
ments  of  Biography  and  Natural  History.  When  we  look 
at  the  large  mass  of  miscellaneous  knowledge  spread 
before  the  reader,  in  a  form  which  has  never  been  equalled 
for  us  condensation,  and  conveyed  in  a  style  that  cannot 
be  surpassed  for  propriety  and  perspicuity,  we  cannot  but 


, 

think  that  the  American  Encyclopedia  deserves  a  place  in 
every  collection,  in  which  works  of  reference  form  a  por 
tion."  —  Southern  Patriot. 


now  before  the  public,  and  the  reception  they  hav 
met  with  is  the  best  evidence  that  the  publishers  hav 
fulfilled  the  promises  made  at  its  outset.  They  hav 
now  only  to  promise,  for  the  editors  and  themselve 
that  no  exertion  shall  be  spared  to  render  the  remaii 
ing  volumes  equal  to  those  already  published,  an 
thus  sustain  the  reputation  it  has  acquired.  The  sul 
scription  is  large,  and  increasing ;  and  in  those  qua 
ters  where  its  circulation  is  greatest,  and  where  it 
best  known,  there  is  a  constantly  increasing  deman< 
The  publishers  invite  the  attention  of  those  who  ma 
not  already  have  possessed  themselves  of  it,  or  ma 
not  have  had  an  opportunity  to  become  acquainte 
with  its  merits,  to  the  following  account  of  the  or 
ginal  work,  upon  which  it  is  based,  and  which 
termed  by  the  Edinburgh  Review — 

THE    WORLD-RENOWNED   LEIPZIG   CONVERSATIONS- 
LEXICON. 

It  was  intended  to  supply  a  want  occasioned  b 
the  character  of  the  age,  in  which  the  sciences,  art 
trades,  and  the  various  forms  of  knowledge  and  o 
active  life,  had  become  so  much  extended  and  d 
versified,  that  no  individual  engaged  in  business  coul 
become  well  acquainted  with  all  subjects  of  genen 
interest;  while  the  wide  diffusion  of  information  rer 
dered  such  knowledge  essential  to  the  character  o 
an  accomplished  man.  This  want,  no  existing  work 
were  adequate  to  supply.  Books  treating  of  particula 
branches,  such  as  gazetteers,  &c.  were  too  confine 
in  character ;  while  voluminous  Encyclopaedias  wer 
too  learned,  scientific,  and  cumbrous,  being  usuall 
elaborate  treatises,  requiring  much  study  or  previou 
acquaintance  with  the  subject  discussed.  The  cor 
ductors  of  the  CONVERSATION  LEXICON  endeavore' 
to  select  from  every  branch  of  knowledge  what  wa 
necessary  to  a  well-informed  mind,  and  to  give  popt 
lar  views  of  the  more  abstruse  branches  of  learnin, 
and  science ;  that  their  readers  might  not  be  incon; 
moded,  and  deprived  of  pleasure  or  improvement,  b 
ignorance  of  facts  or  expressions  used  in  books  or  cori 
versation.  Such  a  work  must  obviously  be  of  grea 
utility  to  every  class  of  readers.  It  has  been  foum 
so  much  so  in  Germany,  that  it  is  met  with  every 
where,  among  the  learned,  the  lawyers,  the  military 
artists,  merchants,  mechanics,  and  men  of  all  stations 
The  reader  may  judge  how  well  it  is  adapted  to  it 
object,  from  the  circumstance,  that  though  it  nov 
consists  of  twelve  volumes,  seven  editions,  comprising 

about    ONE    HUNDRED    THOUSAND    COPIES,  have    beei 

printed  in  less  than  fifteen  years.  It  has  been  trans 
Iatb4  into  the  Swedish,  Danish  and  Dutch  languages 
and  a  French  translation  is  now  preparing  in  Paris. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  American  edition,  no  ex 
pense  has  been  spared  to  secure  the  ablest  assistance 
and  the  editor*  have  been  aided  by  many  gentlemer 
of  distinguished  ability. 

The  American  Biography,  which  is  very  extensive 
has  been  f  urmshed  by  Mr,  WALSH,  who  has  long  paic 
particular  attention  to  that  branch  of  our  literature 
and  from  materials  in  the  collection  of  which  he  has 
been  engaged  for  seme  years.  For  obvious  reasons 
the  notices  of  distinguished  Americans  are  con 
fined  to  deceased  individuals;  the  European  bio^ra 
phy  contains  notices  of  all  distinguished  living  char 
aclers,  as  well  as  those  of  past  times. 

The  articles  on  Zoology  and  the  various  branches 
of  Natural  Science,  and  those  on  Chemistry  and 
Mineralogy,  have  been  prepared  expressly  for  this 
work  by  gentlemen  distinguished  in  the  several  de 
partments. 

In  relation  to  the  Fine  Arts,  the  work  is  exceeding 
rich.  Great  attention  was  given  to  this  in  the  German 
work,  and  the  Editors  have  been  anxious  to  render  it 
by  the  necessary  additions,  as  perfect  as  possible. 

To  gentlemen  of  the  Bar,  the  work  will  be  pecu- 
mrly  valuable,  as  in  cases  where  legal  subjects  are 
reated,  an  account  is  given  of  English,  French,  Ger- 
nan  and  American  Law. 


CABINET    CYCL.OPJEDIA, 

CONDUCTED  BY  THE 

REV.  DIONYSIUS  LARDNER,  LL.  D.  F.R.S.  L.&E. 

M.R.I.  A.  F.L.S.  F.Z.S.  Hon.F.C.P.S.  M.  Ast.  S.  &c.  &c. 

ASSISTED   BY 

EMINENT  LITERARY  AND  SCIENTIFIC  MEN. 

Now  publishing  by  Carey  and  Lea,  and  for  sale  by  all  Booksellers. 


THIS  work  will  form  a  popular  compendium  of  what- 
ver  is  useful,  instructive,  and  interesting,  in  the  circle  of 
mman  knowledge.  A  novel  plan  of  publication  and  ar- 
angement  has  been  adopted,  which  presents  peculiar 
dvantages.  Without  fully  detailing  the  method,  a  few  of 
tiese  advantages  may  be  mentioned. 
Each  volume  will  contain  one  or  more  subjects  uninter- 
upted  and  unbroken,  and  will  be  accompanied  by  the 
orresponding  plates  or  other  appropriate  illustrations, 
'acility  of  reference  will  be  obtained  without  fettering 
iie  work  by  a  continued  alphabetical  arrangement.  A 
ubscriber  may  omit  particular  volumes  or  sets  of  vol 
umes,  without  disintegrating  his  series.  Thus  each  pur- 
haser  may  form  from  the  "CABINET  "  a  Cyclopaedia,  more 
r  less  comprehensive,  as  may  suit  his  means,  taste,  or 
rofession.  If  a  subscriber  desire  to  discontinue  the  work 
t  any  stage  of  its  publication,  the  volumes  which  he 
lay  have  received  will  not  lose  their  value  by  separation 
rom  the  rest  of  the  work,  since  they  will  always  either 
e  complete  in  themselves,  or  may  be  made  so  at  a  trifling 
xpense. 

The  purchasers  will  never  find  their  property  in  this 
.'ork  destroyed  by  the  publication  of  a  second  edition. 
Tie  arrangement  is  such  that  particular  volumes  may 
e  re-edited  or  re-written  without  disturbing  the  others. 
'he  "  CABINET  CYCLOPEDIA  "  will  thus  be  in  a  state  of 
OHtinual  renovation,  keeping  pac»  with  the  never-ceas- 
ng  improvements  in  knowledge,  drawing  within  its 
ircle  from  year  to  year  whatever  is  new,  and  casting  off 
whatever  is  obsolete,  so  as  to  form  a  constantly  modern- 
Bed  Cyclopaedia.  Such  are  a  few  of  the  advantages  which 
le  proprietors  have  to  offer  to'the  public,  and  which  they 
ledge  themselves  to  realize. 

Treatises  on  subjects  which  are  technical  and  profes- 
onal  will  be  adapted,  not  so  much  to  those  who  desire 
o  attain  a  practical  proficiency,  as  to  those  who  seek 
iat  portion  of  information  respecting  such  matters  which 
s  generally  expected  from  well-educated  persons.  An 
nterest  will  be  imparted  to  what  is  abstract  by  copious 
(lustrations,  and  the  sciences  will  be  rendered  attractive, 
)y  treating  them  with  referencs  to  the  most  familiar  ob- 
ects  and  occurrences. 

The  umvieli'ly  bulk  of  Encyclopaedias,  not  less  than 
the  abstruse  discussions  which  they  contain,  has  hitherto 
:onsi<rned  them  to  the  library,  as  works  of  only  occasional 
reference.  The  present  work,  from  its  portable  form  and 
popular  style,  will  claim  a  place  in  the  drawing-room  and 
the  boudoir.  Forming  in  itself  a  Complete  Library,  af 
fording  an  extensive  and  infinitely  varied  store  of  in 
struction  and  amusement,  presenting  just  so  much  on 
every  subject  as  those  not  professionally  engaged  in  it 
require,  convenient  in  size,  attractive  in  form,  elegant  in 
illustrations,  and  most  moderate  in  expense,  the  "CABINET 
CYCLOPEDIA."  will,  it  is  hoped,  be  found  an  object  of  para 
mount  interest  in  every  family. 

To  the  heads  of  schools  and  all  places  of  public  educa 
tion  the  proprietors  trust  that  this  work  will  particularly 
recommend  itself. 

It  seems  scarcely  necessary  to  add,  that  nothing  will 
be  admitted  into  the  pages  of  the  "CABINET  CYCLOPEDIA" 
which  can  have  the  most  remote  tendency  to  otfend  public 
or  private  morals.  To  enforce  the  cultivation  of  religion 
and  the  practice  of  virtue  should  be  a  principal  object 
with  all  who  undertake  to  inform  the  public  mind  ;  but 
with  the  views  just  explained,  the  conductor  of  this  work 
feels  these  considerations  more  especially  pressed  upon 
his  attention.  Parents  and  guardians  may,  therefore, 
rest  assured  that  they  will  never  find  it  necessary  to  place 
a  volume  of  the  "CABINET"  beyond  the  reach  of  their  chil 
dren  or  pupils. 


CONSIDERABLE  progress  having  been  made  in  this 
work,  the  publishers  wish  to  direct  the  attention  of 
the  public  to  the  advantages  by  which  it  is  distin 
guished  from  other  similar  monthly  publications. 

It  is  not  intended  that  the  Cabinet  Cyclopaedia  shall 
form  an  interminable  series,  in  which  any  work  of 


interest  which  may  present  itself  from  time  to  time 
can  claim  a  place.  Its  subjects  are  classified  accord 
ing  to  the  usual  divisions  of  literature,  science,  and 
art.  Each  division  is  distinctly  traced  out,  and  will 
consist  of  a  determinate  number  of  volumes.  Al 
though  the  precise  extent  of  the  work  cannot  be  fixed 
with  certainty,  yet  there  is  a  limit  which  will  not  be 
exceeded ;  and  the  subscribers  may  look  forward  to 
the  possession,  within  a  reasonable  time,  of  a  complete 
library  of  instruction,  amusement,  and  general  refer 
ence,  in  the  regular  form  of  a  popular  Cyclopaedia. 

The  several  classes  of  the  work  are — 1,  NATURAL 
PHILOSOPHY;  2,  The  USEFUL  and  FINE  ARTS ; 
3,  NATURAL  HISTORY;  4,  GEOGRAPHY;  5, 
POLITICS  and  MORALS ;  6,  GENERAL  LITE 
RATURE  and  CRITICISM ;  7,  HISTORY ;  8,  BI 
OGRAPHY. 

In  the  above  abstruse  and  technical  departments 
of  knowledge,  an  attempt  has  been  made  to  convey 
to  the  reader  a  general  acquaintance  with  these  sub 
jects,  by  the  use  of  plain  and  familiar  language,  ap 
propriate  and  well-executed  engravings,  and  copious 
xamples  and  illustrations,  taken  from  objects  and 
events  with  which  every  one  is  acquainted. 

The  proprietors  formerly  pledged  themselves  that 
no  exertion  should  be  spared  to  obtain  the  support  of 
the  most  distinguished  talent  of  the  age.  They  trust 
that  they  have  redeemed  that  pledge.  Among  the 
volumes  already  published  in  the  literary  department, 
no  less  than  four  have  been  the  production  of  men 
who  stand  in  the  first  rank  of  literary  talent, — Sir 
James  Mackintosh  and  Sir  Walter  Scott.  In  the  sci 
entific  department,  a  work  has  been  produced  from 
the  pen  of  Mr.  Herschel,  which  has  been  pronounced 
by  the  highest  living  authority  on  subjects  of  general 
philosophy,  to  contain  "  the  noblest  observations  on 
the  value  of  knowledge  which  have  been  made  since 
Bacon,"  and  to  be  "  the  finest  work  of  philosophical 
genius  which  this  age  has  seen." 

The  following  is  a  selection  frontthe  lift  of  Contributors. 

The  Right  Honorable  Sir  JAMES  MACKIN 
TOSH,  M.  P. 

The  Right  Rev.  The  Lord  Bishop  of  Cloyne. 

Sir  WALTER  SCOTT,  Bart. 

JOHN  FREDERICK  WILLIAM  HERSCHEL, 
Esq. 

THOMAS  MOORE,  Esq. 

J.  B.  BIOT,  Member  of  the  French  Institute. 

ROBERT  SOUTHEY,  Esq.  Poet  Laureate. 

The  Baron  CHARLES  DUPIN,  Member  of  the 
Royal  Institute  and  Chamber  of  Deputies. 

THOMAS  CAMPBELL,  Esq. 

T.  B.  MACAULEY,  Esq.  M.  P. 

DAVID  BREWSTER,  LL.D. 

J.  C.  L.  SISMONDI,  of  Geneva. 

Capt.  HENRY  KATER,  Vice  President  of  the 
Royal  Society. 

The  ASTRONOMER  ROYAL. 

DA  VIES  GILBERT,  Esq.  M.  P. 

S.  T.  COLERIDGE,  Esq. 

JAMES  MONTGOMERY,  Esq. 

The  Right  Hon.  T.  P.  COURTENAY,  M.P. 

J.  J.  BERZELIUS,  of  Stockholm,  F.  R.  S.,  &c. 

The  Rev.  G.  R.  GLEIG. 

T.  PHILLIPS,  Esq.  Prof,  of  Painting,  R.  A. 

Rev.  C.  THIRLWALL,  Fellow  of  Trinity  College, 
Cambridge. 

ANDREW  URE,  M.  D.  F.  R.  S.,  &c.  &c.  &c. 


DR.  LARDNER'S 
CABINET     CYCLOPAEDIA. 


VOLUMES  PUBLISHED. 

I.  II— HISTORY  OF  SCOTLAND.  By  SIR  WALTER 
SCOTT. 

III.  VI.— HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND.  By  SIR  JAMES 
MACKINTOSH.  In  8  Vols.  Vols.  I.  and  II. 

IV.-OUTLIXES  OF  HISTORY. 

V  —HISTORY  OF  THE  NETHERLANDS.  By  T.  C 
GRATTAN.  Esq. 

VII.  VIII.  XII.— HISTORY  OF  FRANCE.  By  EYRE 
EVANS  CROWE.  In  3  Vols. 

IX.— MECHANICS.  By  CAPT.  KATER  and  DR. 
LARDNER. 

X.— A  PRELIMINARY  DISCOURSE  ON  THE  OB- 
JECTS,  ADVANTAGES,  AND  PLEASURES  OF 
THE  STUDY  OF  NATURAL  PHILOSOPHY.  In 
1  Vol.  By  J.  F.  W.  HERSCHEL,  Esq. 

XI.— BIOGRAPHY  OF  EMINENT  BRITISH 
STATESMEN. 

XIII.— HYDROSTATICS  AND  PNEUMATICS.  By 
DR.  LARDNER. 

XIV.— HISTORY  OF  THE  PROGRESS  AND  PRE 
SENT  SITUATION  OF  THE  SILK  MANUFAC 
TURE. 

XV.— HISTORY  OF  THE  ITALIAN  REPUBLICS. 
By  J.  C.  L.  SISMONDI. 

XVI.  XVII.  XVIII.— HISTORY  OF  MARITIME 
AND  INLAND  DISCOVERY.  In  3  vols. 


VOLUMES  IN  IMMEDIATE  PREPARA 
TION. 

HISTORY  OF  ENGLAND.    Vol.  III. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  PROGRESS  AND  PRESENT 
STATE  OF  THE  IRON  MANUFACTURE. 

LIVES  OF  EMINENT  BRITISH  LAWYERS.  In 
1  Vol.  ByH.  ROSCOE,  Esq. 

THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  WESTERN  WORLD.    In 

4  Vols.  Vol.  I.  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMER 
ICA. 

Two  volumes  of  this  work,  nearly  ready,  will 
complete  the  History  of  the  United  States  to  the 
present  time.  The  two  remaining  volumes  will 
be  devoted  to  South  America  and  the  West  India 
Islands. 

A  HISTORY  OF  IRELAND,  TO  THE  UNION.  In  2 
Vols.  By  T.  MOORE,  Esq. 

A  PRELIMINARY  DISCOURSE  ON  THE  USEFUL 
ARTS  AND  MANUFACTURES.  By  the  BARON 
CHARLES  DUFIN,  Member  of  the  Institute  of  France 
and  of  the  Chamber  of  Deputies. 
HISTORY  OF  THE  MOORS.  In  3  Vols.  By  ROB 
ERT  SOUTHEY,  Esq. 

LIVES  OF  THE  MOST  EMINENT  LITERARY 
MEN  OF  ALL  NATIONS.  In  8  Vols.  By  SCOTT, 
SOUTHEY,  MOORE,  MACKINTOSH,  MONTGOMERY, 
CUNNINGHAM,  and  all  the  principal  Literary  and 
Scientific  Contributors  to  the  Cyclopaedia. 

A.  TREATISE  o.\  ASTRONOMY.  By  J.  F.  W. 
HERSCHEL,  Esq. 

JEOGRAPHY.  In  4  Vols.  By  W.  CpOLEY,  Esq. 
author  of  the  "  History  of  Maritime  Discovery." 

JVES  OF  THE  MOST  DISTINGUISHED  BRITISH 
NAVAL  COMMANDERS.  By  R.  SOUTHEY,  Esq. 

JVES  OF  THE  MOST  DISTINGUISHED  BRITISH 
MILITARY  COMMANDERS.  By  the  Rev.  G.  R. 
GLEIG. 

A   TREATISE    ON   OPTICS.    By    DAYID    BREW- 

STER, 

THE  HISTORY  OF  GREECE.  In  3  Vols.  By  the 
Rev.  C.  THIRLWALL. 

IVES  OF  EMINENT  BRITISH  ARTISTS.  By 
W.  Y.  OTLEY,  Esq.  and  T.  PHILLIPS,  R.  A.  Professor 
of  Painting  to  the  Royal  Academy. 

\  TREATISE  ON  ELECTRICITY  AND  MAGNET 
ISM.  By  M.  BIOT,  Member  of  the  French  Insti 
tute. 


"  BOOKS  THAT  YOU  MAY  CARRY  TO  THE  FIRE,  AND  HO] 
READILY  IN  YOUR  HAND,  ARE  THE  MOST  USEFUL  AFT1 
ALL.  A  MAN  WILL  OFTEN  LOOK  AT  THEM,  AND  ] 
TEMPTED  TO  GO  ON,  WHEN  HE  WOULD  HAVE  BE1 
FRIGHTENED  AT  BOOKS  OF  A  LARGER  SIZE,  AND  OF 
MORE  ERUDITE  APPEARANCE." — Dr.  Johnson. 

"We  advisedly  call  the  Cabinet  Cyclopaedia  a  gre 
undertaking,  because  we  consider,  that  in  its  eflects  < 
the  tone  and  habits  of  thought  of  what  is  known  by  t 
phrase,  '  the  reading  public,'  it  will  be,  if  carried  throui 
in  the  spirit  of  its  projection  and  commencement,  one 
the  most  invaluable  productions  of  modern  literature.  * 

"  But  these  advantages,  eminent  as  they  undoubted 
are,  are  not  the  sole  nor  the  chief  recommendations 
the  Cabinet  Cyclopaedia.  Neither  is  it  on  the  extrer 
cheapness  of  the  publication,  nor  the  federal  independen 
— if  we  may  so  speak — of  its  several  volumes,  that  A 
rest  our  prediction  of  its  influence  on  the  tone  of  thin 
ing  of  the  present,  and  on  the  literature  of  the  next  ge 
eration — but  on  the  promise,  amounting  almost  to  a  mor 
certainty,  of  the  great  excellence  of  its  execution.  A  mi 
titude  of  persons  eminent  in  literature  and  science  in  t 
United  Kingdom  are  employed  in  this  undertaking;  an 
indeed,  no  others  should  be  employed  in  it ;  for  it  is  a  tru 
that  the  profound  and  practised  writer  alone  is  capable 
furnishing  a  '  popular  compendium.' 

"  What  parent  or  guardian  that  throvys  his  eye  over  t! 
list  of  its  contributors  bnt  must  be  rejoiced  by  meetii 
the  names  of  those  who  are  in  themselves  a  guarant 
of  intellectual  and  moral  excellence?" — Literary  Oazet 

"  The  plan  of  the  work  appears  well  adapted  to  the  pu 
pose  it  is  proposed  to  fulfil — that  of  supplying  a  series 
publications,  embracing  the  whole  range  of  literatu 
and  science,  in  a  popular  and  portable  form ;  while  ti 
excellence  of  the  execution  is  guarantied  by  the  judgme: 
displayed  in  the  selection  of  writers.  The  list  of  autho 
employed  in  this  ambitious  undertaking  comprises  son 
of  the  most  eminent  men  of  the  present  age." — rfilus. 

"  The  Cyclopaedia,  when  complete,  will  form  a  valuali 
work  of  reference,  as  well  as  a  most  entertaining  and  i 
structive  library.  It  is  an  essential  principle  in  every  pa 
of  it,  that  it  should  be  clear  and  easily  understood,  ai 
that  an  attempt  should  everywhere  be  made  to  uni 
accurate  information  with  an  agreeable  manner  of  co 
veying  it.  It  is  an  experiment,  to  try  how  much  scien 
may  be  taught  with  little  crabbed  or  technical  languag 
and  how  far  the  philosophical  and  poetical  qualities  • 
history  may  be  preserved  in  its  more  condensed  state, 
possesses  also  the  most  indispensable  of  all  the  qualitii 
of  a  work  intended  for  general  instruction— that  of  chea 
ness.  Whatever  the  plan  might  be,  it  was  evident  th 
the  grand  difficulty  of  Dr.  Lardner  was  to  unite  a  boi 
of  writers  in  its  execution,  whose  character  or  works  a 
forded  the  most  probable  hope  that  they  were  fitted  for 
task  of  which  the  peculiarity,  the  novelty,  and  even  tl 
prevalent  relish  for  such  writings  greatly  enhance  the  di 
ficulty.  We  do  not  believe,  that  in  the  list  of  contribi 
tors,  there  is  one  name  of  which  the  enlightened  part 
the  public  would  desire  the  exclusion. 

"  In  science,  the  list  is  not  less  promising.  The  nam< 
of  the  President,  Vice-Presidents,  and  most  distinguish* 
Fellows  of  the  Royal  Society,  are  contained  in  it. 
treatise  on  astronomy,  by  Herschcl ;  on  optics,  by  Brew 
ter ;  and  on  mechanics,  by  Lardner  ;  need  be  only  recon 
mended  by  the  subjects  and  the  writers.  An  eminer 
1'relate,  of  the  first  rank  in  science,  has  undertaken 
loble  subject  which  happily  combines  philosophy  wit 
religion.  Twelve  of  the  most  distinguished  naturalisi 
of  the  age,  Fellows  of  the  Linnfean  and  Zoological  S< 
cieties,  are  preparing  a  course  of  natural  history.  Othei 
lot  less  eminent  in  literature  and  science,  whose  names 
s  not  needful  yet  to  mention,  have  shown  symptoms  of  a 
ambition  to  take  a  place  among  such  fellow-laborers."- 
Times. 

The  topics,  as  may  be  supposed,  are  both  judiciousl 
selected  and  treated  with  ability.  To  general  reader: 
and  as  part  of  a  family  library,  the  volumes  already  puf 
lished  possess  great  recommendations.  For  the  extents 
beauties  of  good  printing  and  paper  they  merit  equal  com 
mendation." — Bait.  American. 

"The  uniform  neatness  of  these  volumes,  their  ver 
moderate  price,  and  the  quantity  of  information  whic, 
they  contain,  drawn  from  the  best  and  most  attractiv 
sources,  have  given  them  deserved  celebrity,  and  no  on 
who  desires  to  possess  such  information,  should  hesitat 
a  moment  to  add  them  to  his  library." — Fed.  Oazette. 

"This  excellent  work  continues  to  increase  in  publi 
favor,  and  to  receive  fresh  accessions  of  force  to  its  corp 
of  contributors." — Lit.  Gazette. 


LARDNER  S  CABINET  CYCLOPAEDIA. 


"OF  THE  MANY  WORKS  WHICH  HAVE  BEE*  LATELY  PUB 
LISHED  IN  IMITATION,  OR  ON'  THE  PLAN  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
SOCIETY  FOR  THE  DIFFUSION  OF  USEFUL  KNOWLEDGE,  DR. 
LARDNER'S  CYCLOPAEDIA  IS  BY  MUCH  THE  MOST  VALUA 
BLE,  AND  THE  MOST  RECOMMENDED  BY  DISTINGUISHED 
ASSISTANCE,  SCIENTIFIC  AND  LITERARY." 

Edinburgh  Revieiv. 


HISTORY  OP  ENGLAND.  By  Sir  James 
Mackintosh.  In  8  Vols.  Two  Vols.  pub 
lished, 

"  fn  the  first  volume  of  Sir  James  Mackintosh's  His 
tory  of  England,  we  find  enough  to  warrant  the  antici 
pations  of  the  public,  that  a  calm  and  luminous  philoso 
phy  will  diffuse  itself  over  the  long  narrative  of  our  Brit 
ish  History."— Edinburgh  Revieic. 

"  In  this  volume  Sir  James  Mackintosh  fully  developes 
those  great  powers,  for  the  possession  of  which  the  public 
lave  long  given  him  credit.  The  result  is  the  ablest  com 
mentary  that  has  yet  appeared  in  our  language  upon  some 
)f  the  most  important  circumstances  of  English  History." 
-Atlas. 

"Worthy  in  tha  method,  style,  and  reflections,  of  the 
luthors  high  reputation.  We  were  particularly  pleased 
ft-ith  his  high  vein  of  philosophical  sentiment,  and  his 
>ccasional  survey  of  contemporary  annals."— National 
Gazette. 

"  If  talents  of  the  highest  order,  long  experience  in  po- 
itics,  and  years  of  application  to  the  study  of  history 
i ii (I  the  collection  of  information,  can  command  superi- 
>rity  in  a  historian.  Sir  James  Mackintosh  may,  without 
«a<.!ing  this  work,  be  said  to  have  produced  the  best  hi  •• 
ory  of  this  country.  A  perusal  of  the  work  will  prove 
hat  those  who  anticipated  a  superior  production,  have 
lot  reckoned  in  vain  on  the  high  qualifications  of  the 
mthor." — Courier. 

"  Our  anticipations  of  this  volume  were  certainly  very 
lighly  raised,  and  unlike  such  anticipations  in  general, 
hey  have  not  been  disappointed.  A  philosophical  spirit, 
t  nervous  style,  and  a  full  knowledge  of  the  subject,  ac- 
[uired  by  considerable  research  into  the  works  of  pre- 
;eding  chroniclers  and  historians,  eminently  distinguish 
his  popular  abridgment,  and  cannot  fail  to  recommend  it 
o  universal  approbation.  In  continuing  his  work  as  he 
las  begun, Sir  James  Mackintosh  will  confer  a  great  bene- 
Jt  on  his  country." — Land.  Lit.  Gazette. 

"  Of  its  general  merits,  and  its  permanent  value,  it  is 
tnpossible  to  speak,  without  the  highest  commendation, 
ind  after  a  careful  and  attentive  perusal  of  the  two  vol 
umes  which  have  been  published,  we  are  enabled  to  de- 
:lare  that,  so  far,  Sir  James  Mackintosh  has  performed 
:he  duty  to  which  he  was  assigned,  with  all  the  ability 
that  was  to  be  expected  from  his  great  previous  attain- 
nsr.ts,  his  laborious  industry  in  investigation,  his  excel 
lent  judgment,  his  superior  talents,  and  his  honorable 
irinciples." — Inquirer. 

"  We  shall  probably  extract  the  whole  of  his  view  of 
Lhe  reformation,  merely  to  show  how  that  important  topic 
iias  been  handled  by  so  able  and  philosophical  a  writer, 
professing  Protestantism. — National  Gazette. 

"  The  talents  of  Sir  James  Mackintosh  are  so  justly  and 
deeply  respected,  that  a  strong  interest  is  necessarily  ex 
ited  with  regard  to  any  work  which  such  a  distinguished 
writer  may  tlii  nknt  to  undertake.  In  the  present  instance, 
as  in  all  others,  our  expectations  are  fully  gratified." — 
Gentleman's  Magazine. 

"  The  second  volume  of  the  History  of  England,  form 
ing  the  sixth  of  Carey  &  Lea's  Cabinet  Cyclopaedia,  has 
been  sent  abroad,  and  entirely  sustains  the  reputation  of 
its  predecessors.  The  various  factions  and  dissensions, 
the  important  trials  and  battles,  which  render  this  period 
so  conspicuous  in  the  page  of  history,  are  all  related  with 
great  clearness  and  masterly  power."— Boston  Traveller. 


BIOGRAPHY  OF  BRITISH  STATESMEN  $ 
containing  the  Lives  of  Sir  Thomas  More, 
Cardinal  Wolsey,  Archbishop  C'raiimer, 
and  Lord  Burleigh. 

"  A  very  delightful  volume,  and  on  a  subject  likely  to 
increase  in  interest  as  it  proceeds.  *  *  *  We  cordially 
commend  the  work  both  for  its  design  and  execution." — 
Loud.  Lit.  Gazette, 


HISTORY  OF  SCOTLAND.    By  Sir  Walter 
Scott.    In  3  Vols. 

"  The  History  of  Scotland,  by  Sir  Walter  Scott,  we  do 
not  hesitate  to  declare,  will  be,  if  possible,  more  exten 
sively  read,  than  the  most  popular  work  of  fiction,  by  the 
same  prolific  author,  and  for  this  obvious  reason:  it  com 
bines  much  of  the  brilliant  coloring  of  the  Ivanhoe  pic 
tures  of  by-gone  manners,  and  all  the  graceful  facility  of 
style  and  picturesqueness  of  description  of  his  other 
charming  romances,  with  a  minute  fidelity  to  the  facts 
of  history,  and  a  searching  scrutiny  into  their  authenti 
city  and  relative  value,  which  might  put  to  the  blush 
Mr.  Hume  and  other  professed  historians.  Such  is  the 
magic  charm  of  Sir  Walter  Scott's  pen,  it  has  only  to 
touch  the  simplest  incident  of  every-day  life,  and  it  starts 
up  invested  witli  all  the  interest  of  a  scene  of  romance  ; 
and  yet  such  is  his  fidelity  to  the  text  of  nature,  that  the 
knights,  and  serfs,  and  collared  fools  with  whom  his  ii 
ventive  genius  has  peopled  so  many  volumes,  are  regarded 
by  us  as  not  mere  creations  of  fancy,  but  as  real  flesh  and 
blood  existences,  with  all  the  virtues,  feelings  and  errors 
of  common-place  humanity." — Lit.  Gazette. 


HISTORY   OF   FRANCE.    By  Eyre  Evans 
Crowe.    In  3  vols. 

HISTORY  OF  FRANCE,  from  the  Restora 
tion  of  the  Bourbons,  to  the  Revolution 


B.  Macaulay,   Esq.  M.  P. 


of  1830.    By  T. 
Nearly  ready. 

"  The  style  is  concise  and  clear  ;  and  events  are  sum 
med  up  with  much  vigor  and  originality." — Lit.  Gazette. 

"  His  history  of  France  is  worthy  to  figure  with  the 
works  of  his  associates,  the  best  of  their  day,  Scott  and 
Mackintosh."— Monthly  Mag. 

For  such  a  task  Mr.  Crowe  is  eminently  qualified. 
At  a  glance,  as  it  were,  his  eye  takes  in  the  theatre  of 
centuries.  His  style  is  neat,  clear,  and  pithy;  and  his 
power  of  condensation  enables  him  to  say  much,  and 
effectively,  in  a  few  words,  to  present  a  distinct  and 
perfect  picture  in  a  narrowly  circumscribed  space." — La 
Belle  Assemblee. 

The  style  is  neat  and  condensed ;  the  thoughts  and 
conclusions  sound  and  just.  The  necessary  conciseness 
of  the  narrative  is  unaccompanied  by  any  baldness ;  on 
the  contrary,  it  is  spirited  and  engaging." — Bait.  Ameri 
can. 

To  compress  the  history  of  a  great  nation,  during  a 
period  of  thirteen  hundred  years,  into  three  volumes,  and 
to  preserve  sufficient  distinctness  as  well  as  interest  in 
the  narrative,  to  enable  and  induce  the  reader  to  possess 
himself  clearly  of  all  the  leading  incidents,  is  a  task  by 
no  means  easily  executed.  It  has,  nevertheless,  been  well 
accomplished  in  this  instance." — JV*.  Y.  American. 

"Written  with  spirit  and  taste."—  U.  S.  Gazette. 

"Could  we  but  persuade  our  young  friends  to  give 
these  volumes  a  careful  perusal,  we  should  feel  assured 
of  their  grateful  acknowledgments  of  profit  and  pleas 
ure." — JV*.  Y.  Mirror. 

"  At  once  concise  and  entertaining." — Saturday  Bul 
letin. 


THE  HISTORY  OF  THE  NETHERLANDS, 
to  the  Battle  of  Waterloo.  By  T.  C.  Grat- 
tan. 

"  It  is  but  justice  to  Mr.  Grattan  to  say  that  he  has 
executed  his  laborious  task  with  much  industry  and  pro 
portionate  effect.  Undisfigured  by  pompous  nothingness, 
and  without  any  of  the  affectation  of  philosophical  pro- 
fundity,  his  style  is  simple,  light,  and  fresh— perspicuous, 
smooth,  and  harmonious." — La  Belle  Assemblee. 

"Never  did  work  appear  at  a  more  fortunate  period. 
The  volume  before  us  is  a  compressed  but  clear  and  im 
partial  narrative." — Lit.  Gaz. 

"  A  long  residence  in  the  country,  and  a  ready  access  to 
libraries  and  archives,  have  furnished  Mr.  Grattan  with 
materials  which  he  has  arranged  with  skill,  and  out.  of 
which  he  has  produced  a  most  interesting  volume." — 
Gent.  Mag. 


GARDNER'S 
CABINET   CYCLOPAEDIA. 


IT  IS  NOT  EASY  TO  DEVISE  A  CURE  FOR  SUCH  A  STATE 
OF  THINGS  (THE  DECLINING  TASTE  FOR  SCIENCE;)  BUT 
THE  MOST  OBVIOCS  REMEDV  IS  TO  PROVIDE  THE  EDU 
CATED  CLASSES  WITH  A  SERIES  OF  WORKS  ON  POPULAR 


CABINET  OF 

AMERICAN  HISTORY. 

BY  T.  F.  GORDON. 

Volumes  published. 

I.  II.  HISTORY  OF  THE  SPANISH  DISCOVERIES 
prior  to  the  year  1520. 

To  l>e 


SYMBOLS    AND     TECHNICAL    TERMS,    WRITTEN     IN    SIMPLE 

AND  PERSPICUOUS  LANGUAGE,  AND  ILLUSTRATED  BY  FACTS  j 

AND    EXPERIMENTS,  WHICH    ARE    LEVEL  TO  THE  CAPACITY     HI.  IV.  V.  HISTORY  OF  ANAHUAC,  OR  MEXICO 

OK  ORDINARY  MINDS."—  Quarterly  Review.  j      from  j^  discovery  to  the  present  time.     In  3  vols. 

'  VL  VIL  HISTORY  OF  PERU.     In  2  vols. 


PRELIMINARY  DsURSE  ON  THE  OB- 
JECTS,     ADVANTAGES,     AND    PLEAS-   VIII.  IX.  HISTORY  OF  BRAZIL.  In  2  vols.  &c.  &c 
URES    OF    TIIE    STUDY    OF    NATURAL  j  _ 

PHILOSOPHY.       By    J.   T.  W.  Herschcl,  ! 

A.  M.  late  Fellow  of  St.  John's  College,  i     UNDER  this  comprehensive  title,  it  is  proposed  ti 
Cambridge.  publish  a  General  History  of  America,  divided  in! 

I  parts  making  together  a  continuous  whole  ;  yet  encV 
•'  Without  disparaging  any  other  of  the  many  interest-  !flayi  in°teg°al  form  adapted  for  separate  puhl 

&'f&^  Each  Cordon  will  brought  'down  £  ,1, 

at  the  head  of  the  list,  for  extent  and  variety  of  condensed  !  period  at  which  it  shall  be  written,  and  will  cental 
information,  Mr.  Herchel's  discourse  of  Natural  Philoso-  j  a  popular  description  of  the  geology,  climate  and  pr< 
phy  in  Dr.  Lardner's  Cyclopaedia."  —  Christian  Observer.  \  ductions,  and  the  civil  history  of  the  country  to  whic 

"  The  finest  work  of  philosophical  genius  which  this  j  it  relates. 
age  has  seen."  —  Mackintosh's  England.  No  work  of  this  general  nature  has  been  publishe 

"  By  far  the  most  delightful  book  to  which  the  existing  in  the  English  language.  The  work  of  Dr.  Robertso 
coinp'ititioii  between  literary  rivals  of  great  talent  and  is  rather  a  philosophical  essay  on  American  histon 
enterprise  has  given  rise."  —  Monthly  Review.  than  an  historical  narrative;  and  though  original! 

"Mr.  Herschel's  delightful  volume.  *  *  *  We  find 
scattered  through  the  work  instances  of  vivid  and  happy 
illustration,  where  the  fancy  is  usefully  called  into  action, 
o  as  sometimes  to  remind  us  of  the  splendid  pictures 


which  crowd  upon  us  in  the  style  of  Bacon." — Quarterly 


Review. 

"  It  is  the  most  exciting  volume  of  the  kind  we  ever 
met  with."— Monthly  Magazine. 

"  One  of  the  most  instructive  and  delightful  books  we 
have  ever  perused." — U.  S.  Journal. 


A  TREATISE  ON  MECHANICS.  By  Capt. 
Kater,  and  the  Rev*  Diouysius  Lardiier. 
With,  numerous  engravings. 

"A  work  which  contains  an  uncommon  amount  of 
useful  information,  exhibited  in  a  plain  and  very  intelli 
gible  form." — Olmsted's  J\i'at.  Philosophy. 

"This  volume  has  been  lately  published  in  England,  as 
a  part  of  Dr.  Lardner's  Cabinet  Cyclopaedia,  and  has  re 
ceived  the  unsolicited  approbation  of  the  most  eminent 
men  of  science,  and  the  most  discriminating  journals  and 
reviews,  in  the  British  metropolis. — It  is  written  in'a 
popular  and  in  .elligible  style,  entirely  free  from  mathe 
matical  symbols,  and  disencumbered  as  far  as  possible  of 
technical  phrases." — Boston  Traveller. 

"  Admirable  in  development  and  clear  in  principles,  and 
.•specially  felicitous  in  illustration  from  familiar  sub 
jects." — Monthly  Mag. 

"Though  replete  with  philosophical  information  of  the 
highest  order  in  mechanics,  adapted  to  ordinary  capaci 
ties  in  a  way  to  render  it  at  once  intelligible  and  popu 
lar."—  Lit.  Ga-ctte. 

"  A  work  of  great  merit,  full  of  valuable  information, 
not  only  to  the  practical  mechanic,  but  to  the  man  of  sci 
ence.''—^'*.  Y.  Courier  and  Enquirer. 


designed  to  embrace  the  whole  of  the  American  coi 
tinent,  it  remains  unfinished.  It  is  written  also  wit 
v  bias  unfavorable  to  America  and  its  productions,  i 
incorrect  in  many  important  particulars,  and  is  lo 


A  TREATISE  ON  HYDROSTATICS  AND 
PNEUMATICS.  By  the  Rev.  D.  Larducr. 
With  numerous  engravings. 

"  It  fully  sustains  the  favorable  opinion  we  have  already 
expressed  as  to  this  valuable  compendium  of  modern  sci 
ence." — Lit.  Gazette. 

"  Dr.  Lardner  has  made  a  good  use  of  his  acquaintance 
with  the  familiar  facts  which  illustrate  the  principles  of 
science."— Monthly  Maffa-ive. 

"  It  is  written  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  subject, 
ami  in  a  popular  style,  abounding  ia  practical  illustra 
tions  of  the  abstruse  operations  of  these 
es."—  U.  S.  Journal. 


much  abstracted  for  popular  use. 

This  void  in  literature  might  have  been  properl 
filled  by  the  writers  of  Spain,  Portugal,  France,  c 
England,  but  has  been  supplied  for  Europe,  in 
measure,  by  an  Italian,  the  Cavalier  Campagnoni,  o 
whose  meritorious  labor  much  use  will  be  made  i 
the  proposed  enterprise. 

The  volumes  herewith  presented,  may  be  deeme 
introductory  to  the  whole  work,  since  they  narrat 
the  history  of  the  discovery  of  the  three  great  portion 
of  America.  In  the  prosecution  of  the  subject,  th 
existing  political  divisions  will  be  pursued  and  cor 
nected  with  former  ones,  by  proper  explanations ;  ani 
where  due  regard  for  unity  does  not  forbid,  the  chrc 
nological  order  will  be  preserved.  Thus,  the  nex 
succeeding  part  of  the  work,  now  advanced  in  prepj 
ration,  will  contain  the  history  of  Anahuac,  or  Mexico 
including  its  ancient  annals,  an  account  of  its  subju 
gation,  and  the  policy  of  its  conquerors,  of  its  laf 
revolutions,  and  of  its  present  constituent  states.  Ii 
the  same  manner  will  be  treated  Central  Americs 
Peru,  Chili,  Bolivia,  the  United  Provinces  of  La  Plata 
Brazil,  and  Colombia.  Due  attention  will  also  be  giyei 
loathe  Independent  Indian  nations  of  South  America 

The  history  of  the  remainder  of  the  country  wil 
he  embraced  by  the  following  divisions : — 1.  Russian 
2. British;  3.  Spanish;  4. French;  5.  Danish;  G.  Dutcl 
America;  and  7,  the  United  States  and  their  depend 
cncies.  In  treating  the  last  division,  a  separate  vol 
ume  will  be  appropriated  to  each  State  and  Territory 
the  history  of  which  may  require  it,  and  "  The  Jh'sfon 
of  /he  United  States"  will  be  confined  to  the  event! 
of  the  Revolution  and  the  operations  of  the  genera 
government. 

A  survey  having  been  thus  made  of  the  whok 
Western  Hemisphere,  the  concluding  volume  wil; 
contain  the  history  of  the  Indian  races,  particularly 
those  of  the  northern  part  of  the  continent,  with  a 
critical  examination  of  the  theories  relating  to  the 
original  peopling  of  America. 

The  general  title  of  the  work  is  sufficiently  com 
prehensive  to  include  a  biography  of  distinguished 
Americans,  and  others  connected  with  American  his- 
ory;  and  should  the  public  support  warrant  it,  "An 
porant  sci-  J  American  Biography"  may  also  be  published  under 
it,  in  a  cheap  and  popular  form. 


CABINET    LIBRARY, 


No-  L  —  NARRATIVE  OF  THE  LATE 
WAR  IN  GERMANY  AND  FRANCE. 
By  the  MARQUESS  OF  LONDONDERRY.  With 
a  Map. 

.No.    2.— JOURNAL  OF  A  NATURALIST, 

witli  plates. 

:No.  3.— AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  SIR  WAL 
TER  SCOTT.  With  a  portrait 

No.  4.— MEMOIRS  OF  SIR  WALTER  RA 
LEGH.  By  Mrs.  A.  T.  THOMSON.  With  a 
portrait 

No.  5.— LIFE  OF  BELISARIUS.  By  Lord 
MAHON. 

No.  6.— MILITARY  MEMOIRS  OF  THE 
DUKE  OF  WELLINGTON.  By  Capt. 
MOYLE  SHERER.  With  a  portrait. 

No.  7.— LETTERS  TO  A  YOUNG  NATU 
RALIST  ON  THE  STUDY  OF  NATURE 
AND  NATURAL  THEOLOGY.  By  J.  L. 
DRUMMOND,  M.  D.  With  numerous  en 
gravings. 

IN  PREPARATION. 

LIFE  OF  PETRARCH.     By  THOMAS  MOORE. 
CLEANINGS  IN   NATURAL    HISTORY, 

being  a  Companion  to  the  Journal  of  a  Nat 
uralist. 

"  The  Cabinet  Library  bids  fair  to  be  a  series  of  great 
value  and  1S  recommended  to  public  and  private  libraries 
to  professional  men,  and  miscellaneous  readers  generally' 
It  is  beautifully  printed,  and  furnished  at  a  price  which 
will  place  it  within  the  reach  ot  all  classes  of  snHPtv » 
American  Traveller. 

"  The  series  of  instructive,  and,  in  their  original  form 
expensive  works,  which  these  enterprising  publishers  a"e 
now  issuing  under  the  title  of  the  "  Cabinet  Library" 
is  a  fountain  of  useful,  and  almost  universal  knowledge  • 
the  advantages  of  which,  in  forming  the  opinions,  tasfes' 
and  manners  of  that  portion  of  society,  to  which  this 
varied  information  is  yet  new,  cannot  be  too  highly 
estimated."- National  Journal. 

"  Messrs.  Carey  and  Lea  have  commenced  a  series  of 
publications  under  the  above  title,  which  are  to  appear 
monthly,  and  which  seem  likely,  from  the  specimen  before 
us,  to  acquire  a  high  degree  of  popularity,  and  to  afford 
a  mass  of  various  information  and  rich  entertainment, 
at  once  eminently  useful  and  strongly  attractive.  The 
mechanical  execution  is  fine,  the  paper  and  typography 
excellent." — Nashville  Banner. 


MEMOIRS  OP  THE  LIFE  OF  SIR  "WAL 
TER  RALEGH,  with  some  Account  of  the 
Period  in  which  he  lived.  By  MRS.  A.  T. 
THOMSON.  With  a  Portrait. 

"  Such  is  the  outline  of  a  life,  which,  in  Mrs.  Thom 
son's  hands,  is  a  mine  of  interest ;  from  the  first  page  to 
the  last  the  attention  is  roused  and  sustained,  and  while 
we  approve  the  manner,  we  still  more  applaud  the  spirit 
in  which  it  is  executed."— Literary  Oazette. 


JOURNAL  OF  A  NATURALIST.    With 
Plates. 

Plants,  trees,  and  stones  we  note ; 

Birds,  insects,  beasts,  and  rural  things. 

"We  again  most  strongly  recommend  this  little  unpre 
tending  volume  to  the  attention  of  every  lover  of  nature, 


and  more  particularly  of  our  country  readers.  It  will 
induce  them,  we  are  sure,  to  examine  more  closely  than 
they  have  been  accustomed  to  do,  into  the  objects  of  ani 
mated  nature,  and  such  examination  will  prove  one  of 
the  most  innocent,  and  the  most  satisfactory  sources  of 
gratification  and  amusement.  It  is  a  book  that  ought 
to  find  its  way  into  every  rural  drawing-room  in  the 
kingdom,  and  one  that  may  safely  be  placed  in  every 
lady's  boudoir,  be  her  rank  and  station  in  life  what  they 
may/'— Quarterly  Review,  No.  LXXVIII. 

"We  think  that  there  are  few  readers  who  will  not 
be  delighted  (we  are  certain  all  will  be  instructed)  by  the 
'Journal  of  a  Naturalist.'  "—Monthly  Review. 

"  This  is  a  most  delightful  book  on  the  most  delightful 
of  all  studies.  We  are  acquainted  with  no  previous 
work  which  bears  any  resemblance  to  this,  except 
1  White's  History  of  Selborne,'  the  most  fascinating  piece 
of  rural  writing  and  sound  English  philosophy  that  ever 
issued  from  the  press." — Athenaum. 

"The  author  of  the  volume  now  before  us,  has  pro 
duced  one  of  the  most  charming  volumes  we  remember 
to  have  seen  for  a  long  time." — New  Monthly  Magazine, 
June,  1829. 

"  A  delightful  volume — perhaps  the  most  so— nor  less 
instructive  and  amusing — given  to  Natural  History 
since  White's  Selborne." — Blackwoo&s  Magazine. 

"  The  Journal  of  a  Naturalist,  being  the  second  num 
ber  of  Carey  and  Lea's  beautiful  edition  of  the  Cabinet 
Library,  is  the  best  treatise  on  subjects  connected  with 
this  train  of  thought,  that  we  have  for  a  long  time  pe 
rused,  and  we  are  not  at  all  surprised  that  it  should  have 
received  so  high  and  flattering  encomiums  from  the  Eng 
lish  press  generally." — Boston  Traveller. 

"Furnishing  an  interesting  and  familiar  account  of 
the  various  objects  of  animated  nature,  but  calculated 
to  afford  both  instruction  and  entertainment." — Nash 
ville  Banner. 

"  One  of  the  most  agreeable  works  of  its  kind  in  the 
language." — Courier  de  la  Louisiane. 

"  It  abounds  with  numerous  and  curious  facts,  pleas 
ing  illustrations  of  the  secret  operations  and  economy  of 
nature,  and  satisfactory  displays  of  the  power,  wisdom 
and  goodness,  of  the  great  Creator." — Philad.  Album. 


THE  MARQ,UESS  OF  LONDONDERRY'S 
NARRATIVE  OF  THE  LATE  WAR  IN 
GERMANY  AND  FRANCE.  With  a  Map. 

"  No  history  of  the  events  to  which  it  relates  can  be 
correct  without  reference  to  its  statements." — Literary 
Gazette. 

"  The  events  detailed  in  this  volume  cannot  fail  to 
excite  an  intense  interest." — Dublin  Literary  Gazette. 

"The  only  connected  and  well  authenticated  account 
we  have  of  the  spirit-stirring  scenes  which  preceded  the 
fall  of  Napoleon.  It  introduces  us  into  the  cabinets  and 
presence  of  the  allied  monarchs.  We  observe  the  secret 
policy  of  each  individual :  we  see  the  course  pursued  by 
the  wily  Bernadotte,  the  temporizing  Metternich,  and 
the  ambitious  Alexander.  The  work  deserves  a  place  in 
every  historical  library."— Globe. 

"We  hail  with  pleasure  the  appearance  of  the  first 
volume  of  the  Cabinet  Library."  "  The  author  had  sin 
gular  facilities  for  obtaining  the  materials  of  his  work, 
and  he  has  introduced  us  to  the  movements  and  measures 
of  cabinets  which  have  hitherto  been  hidden  from  the 
world." — American  Traveller. 

"  It  may  be  regarded  as  the  most  authentic  of  all  the 
publications  which  profess  to  detail  the  events  of  the 
important  campaigns,  terminating  with  that  which  se 
cured  the  capture  of  the  French  metropolis."— Nat.  Jour 
nal. 

It  is  in  fact  the  only  authentic  account  of  the  memo 
rable  events  to  which  it  refers." — Nashville  Banner. 

The  work  deserves  a  place  in  every  library."— Phila 
delphia  Album. 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


A  MEMOIR  OF  SEBASTIAN  CABOT,  with 
a  Review  of  tlie  History  of  Maritime  Dis 
covery.  Illustrated  Iby  Documents  from 
the  Rolls,  now  first  published. 

"  Put  forth  in  the  most  unpretending  manner,  and 
without  a  name,  this  work  is  of  paramount  importance 
to  the  subjects  of  which  it  treats.'1 — Literary  Gazette. 
The  author  has  corrected  many  grave  errors,  and  ir 
general  given  us  a  clearer  insight  into  transactions  of 
considerable  national  interest." — Ib.  "  Will  it  not,"  says 
the  author,  with  just  astonishment,  "  be  deemed  almost 

ncredible,  that  the  very  instrument  in  the  Records  of 
England,  which  recites  the  Great  Discovery,  and  plainly 
contemplates  a  scheme  of  Colonization,  should,  up  to 
this  moment,  have  been  treated  by  her  own  writers  as 
that  which  first  gave  permission  to  go  forth  and  explore  T 
— fb.  "We  must  return  to  investigate  several  collateral 
matters  which  we  think  deserving  of  more  space  than  we 
can  this  week  bestow.  Meanwhile  we  recommend  the 
work  as  one  of  great  value  and  interest." — Ib. 

"  The  general  reader,  as  well  as  the  navigator  and  the 

curious,  will  derive  pleasure  and  information  from  this 

well- written   production." — Courier. 

"A  specimen  of  honest  inquiry.    It  is  quite  frightful  to 

hink  of  the  number  of  the  inaccuracies  it  exposes  :  we 
shall  cease  to  have  confidence  in  books."  "  The  investi 

ation  of  truth  is  not  the  fashion  of  these  times.     But 

very  sincere  inquirer  after  historical  accuracy  ought  to 
purchase  the  book  as  a  curiosity:  more  false  assertions 
and  inaccurate  statements  were  never  exposed  in  the 
same  compass.  It  has  given  us  a  lesson  we  shall  never 
forget,  and  hope  to  profit  by."— Spectator. 


HIS  TORT  OF  THE  NORTHMEN,  OR  NOR 
MANS  AND  DANES  J  from  the  earliest 
times  to  the  Conquest  of  England  by 
"William  of  Normandy*  By  Henry  Whea- 
ton,  Member  of  the  Scandinavian  and 
Icelandic  Literary  Societies  of  Copenha- 
gen. 

This  work  embraces  the  great  leading  features  of  Scan 
dinavian  history,  commencing  with  the  heroic  age,  and 
advancing  from  the  earliest  dawn  of  civilization  to  the 
ntroduction  of  Christianity  into  the  North — its  long  and 
)loody strife  with  Paganism — the  discovery  and  coloniza- 
;ion  of  Iceland,  Greenland,  and  North  America,  by  the 
Norwegian  navigators,  before  the  time  of  Columbus— the 
military  and  maritime  expeditions  of  the  Northmen — 
:heir  early  intercourse  of  commerce  and  war  with  Con- 
itantinople  and  the  Eastern  empire— the  establishment 
>f  a  Norman  state  in  France,  under  Hollo,  and  the  sub- 
ugation  of  England,  first  by  the  Danes,  under  Canute 
he  Great,  and  subsequently  by  the  Normans,  under 
)uke  William,  the  founder  of  the  English  monarchy, 
't  also  contains  an  account  of  the  mythology  and  litera- 
ure  of  the  ancient  North— the  Icelandic  language  pre 
vailing  all  over  the  Scandinavian  countries  until  the 
brmation  of  the  present  living  tongues  of  Sweden  and 
Denmark — an  analysis  of  the  Eddas,  Sagas,  and  various 
hronicles  and  songs  relating  to  the  Northern  deities  and 
icroes,  constituting  the  original  materials  from  which 
he  work  has  been  principally  composed.  It  is  intended 
o  illustrate  the  history  of  France  and  England  during 
he  middle  ages,  and  at,  the  same  time  to  serve  as  an 
ntroduction  to  the  modern  history  of  Denmark,  Norway, 
and  Sweden. 


LETTERS  TO  A  YOUNG  NATURALIST, 
on  the  Study  of  Nature,  and  Natural  The 
ology.  By  JAMES  L.  DRUMMOND,  M.  D. 
&c«  "With  numerous  engravings. 

"  We  know  of  no  work,  compressed  within  the  same 
imits,  which  seems  so  happily  calculated  to  generate  in 
a  young  mind,  and  to  renovate  in  the  old,  an  ardent  love 
of  nature  in  all  her  forms."— Monthly  Review. 

"We  cannot  but  eulogize,  in  the  warmest  manner,  the 
endeavor,  and  we  must  say  the  successful  endeavor,  of  a 
man  of  science,  like  Dr.  Drummond,  to  bring  down  eo 
exalted  a  pursuit  to  the  level  of  youthful  faculties,  and  to 
cultivate  a  taste  at  once  so  useful,  virtuous,  and  refined." 
— JVew  Monthly  Mag. 


PRIVATE  MEMOIRS  OF  NAPOLEON  BC 

NAPARTE,  from  the  French  of  M.  FAUVI 

LET  DE  BOURRIENNE,  Private  Secretary  t 

the  Emperor.     In  2  vols.  8vo. 

The  peculiar  advantages  of  position  in  regard  1 

his  present  subject,  solely  enjoyed  by  M.  de  Bourr 

enne,  his  literary  accomplishments  and  moral  qual 

fications,  have  already  obtained  for  these  memoirs  th 

first  rank  in  contemporary  and  authentic  history.    I 

France,  where  they  had  been  for  years  expected  wit 

anxiety,  and  where,  since  the  revolution,  no  wor 

connected  with  that  period  or  its  consequent  eveni 

has  created  so  great  a  sensation,  the  volumes  of  Bou: 

rienne  have,  from  the  first,  been  accepted  as  the  onl 

trustworthy  exhibition  of  the  private  life  and  politic! 

principles  of  Napoleon. 

"We  know  from  the  best  political  authority  now  lii 
ing  in  England,  that  the  writers  accounts  are  perfectl 
corroborated  by  facts."— Lit.  Oaz. 

ANNALS  OF  THE  PENINSULAR  CAM 
PAIGNS.  By  the  Author  of  CYRIL  THORI 
TON.  In  3  vols.  12mo.  with  plates. 

THE  HISTORY  OF  LOUISIANA,  partici 
larly  of  the  Cession  of  that  Colony  to  th 
United  States  of  North  America ;  with  a 
Introductory  Essay  on  the  Constitution  an 
Government  of  the  United  States,  by  M.  D 
MARBOIS,  Peer  of  France,  translated  fror 
the  French  by  an  American  Citizen.  I 
1  vol.  8vo. 

THE  PERSIAN  ADVENTURER.  By  th 
Author  of  the  KUZZ-TLBASH.  In  2  vols.  12m( 

"  It  is  full  of  glowipg  descriptions  of  Eastern  life."- 
Courier. 

MORALS    or    PLEASURE,   Illustrated   b; 

Stories  designed  for  Young  Persons,  in 

vol.  12mo. 

"The  style  of  the  stories  is  no  less  remarkable  for  it 
ease  and  gracefulness,  than  for  the  delicacy  of  its  humoi 
and  its  beautiful  and  at  times  affecting  simplicity,  j 
lady  must  have  written  it— for  it  is  from  the  bosom  o 
woman  alone,  that  such  tenderness  of  feeling  and  sue 
delicacy  of  sentiment — such  sweet  lessons  of  morality- 
such  deep  and  pure  streams  of  virtue  and  piety,  gus 
forth  to  cleanse  the  juvenile  mind  from  the  grosser  impu 
rities  of  our  nature,  and  prepare  the  young  for  lives  o 
usefulness  here,  and  happiness  hereafter."— JV.  Y.  Con 
Advertiser. 

CLARENCE ;  a  Tale  of  our  own  Times.  B; 
the  Author  of  REDWOOD,  HOPE  LESLIE,  &c 
In  2  vols. 

AMERICAN  QUARTERLY  REVIEW,  pub 

lished  on  the  first  of  March,  June,  Septem 
ber,  and  December.     Price  $5  per  ann. 

%*  A  few  complete  Sets  of  the  Work  are  still  fo 
sale. 

CONSIDERATIONS  ON  THE  CURREN 
CY  AND  BANKING  SYSTEM  OF  THI 
UNITED  STATES.  By  ALBERT  GALLA 


SONGS  OF  THE  AFFECTIONS.   By  FELICE 
HEMANS.  Royal  18mo. 


SCOTT,  COOPER,  AND  WASHINGTON  XRVXN&. 


BY  SIR  WALTER  SCOTT. 

JOUNT  ROBERT  OF  PARIS,  a  Tale  of 
the  Lower  Empire.  By  the  Author  of  Wa- 
verley.  In  3  vols. 

"The  reader  will  at  once  perceive  that  the  subject, 
:he  characters  and  the  scenes  of  action,  could  not  have 
been  better  selected  for  the  display  of  the  various  and  un 
equalled  powers  of  the  author.  All  that  is  glorious  in  arts 
and  splendid  in  arms— the  glitter  of  armor,  the  pomp  of 
war,  and  the  splendor  of  chivalry — the  gorgeous  scenery 
of  the  Bosphorus— the  ruins  of  Byzantium— the  magnifi 
cence  of  the  Grecian  capital,  and  the  richness  and  volup 
tuousness  of  the  imperial  court,  will  rise  before  the  reader 
n  a  succession  of  beautiful  and  dazzling  images." — Com 
mercial  Advertiser. 

AUTOBIOGRAPHY  OF  SIR  WALTER 
SCOTT.  With  a  Portrait. 

"  This  is  a  delightful  volume,  which  cannot  fail  to  sat- 
sfy  every  reader,  and  of  which  the  contents  ought  to  be 
known  to  all  those  who  would  be  deemed  conversant  with 
the  literature  of  our  era." — National  Gazette. 

HISTORY  OF  SCOTLAND.     In  2  vols. 

"  The  History  of  Scotland,  by  Sir  Walter  Scott,  we  do 
not  hesitate  to  declare,  will  be,  if  possible,  more  exten 
sively  read,  than  the  most  popular  work  of  fiction,  by  the 
same  prolific  author,  and  for  this  obvious  reason :  it  com 
bines  much  of  the  brilliant  coloring  of  the  Ivanhoe  pic 
tures  of  by-gone  manners,  and  all  the  graceful  facility  of 
style  and  picturesqueness  of  description  of  his  other 
charming  romances,  with  a  minute  fidelity  to  the  facts 
of  history,  and  a  searching  scrutiny  into  their  authenti 
city  and  relative  value,  which  might  put  to  the  blush 
Mr.  Hume  and  other  professed  historians.  Such  is  the 
magic  charm  of  Sir  Walter  Scott's  pen,  it  has  only  to 
touch  the  simplest  incident  of  every-day  life,  and  it  starts 
up  invested  with  all  the  interest  of  a  scene  of  romance  ; 
and  yet  such  is  his  fidelity  to  the  text  of  nature,  that  the 
knights,  and  serfs,  and  collared  fools  with  whom  his  in 
ventive  genius  has  peopled  so  many  volumes,  are  regarded 
by  us  as  not  mere  creations  of  fancy,  but  as  real  flesh  and 
blood  existences,  with  all  the  virtues,  feelings  and  errors 
of  common-place  humanity." — Lit.  Gazette. 

TALES  OF  A  GRANDFATHER,  being  a 
series  from  French  History.  By  the  Author 
of  WAVERLEY. 


BY  MR.  COOPER. 

THE  BRAVO.     By  the  Author  of  the  SPY, 
PILOT,  &c.  In  2  vols. 

THE  WATER-WITCH,  OR  THE  SKIMMER 
OF  THE  SEAS.     In  2  vols. 

"  We  have  no  hesitation  in  classing  this  among  the 
most  powerful  of  the  romances  of  our  countryman." — 
U.  States  Gazette. 

"We  could  ont  break  from  the  volumes,  and  may  pre 
dict  that  they  will  excite  the  same  interest  in  the  minds 
of  almost  every  reader.  The  concluding  chapters  produce 
intense  emotion." — National  Gazette. 

New  Editions  of  the  following  Works  by  the 
same  Author. 

NOTIONS  OF  THE  AMERICANS,  by  a 

Travelling  Bachelor,  2  vols.  12mo. 
THE  WEPT  OF  WISH-TON-WISH,  2  vols. 

12mo. 

THE  RED  ROVER,  2  vols.  12mo. 
THE  SPY,  2  vols.  12mo. 
THE  PIONEERS,  2  vols.  12mo. 
THE  PILOT,  a  Tale  of  the  Sea,  2  vols.  12mo. 


LIONEL  LINCOLN,  OR  THE  LEAGUER  OF 

BOSTON,  2  vols. 

THE   LAST  OF  THE  MOHICANS,   2  vols. 
12mo. 

THE  PRAIRIE,  2  vols.  12mo. 


BY  WASHINGTON  IRVING. 

VOYAGES  AND  ADVENTURES  OF  THE 
COMPANIONS  OF  COLUMBUS.  By 
WASHINGTON  IRVING,  Author  of  the  Life 
of  Columbus,  &c.  1  vol.  8vo. 

"  Of  the  main  work  we  may  repeat  that  it  possesses 
the  value  of  important  history  and  the  magnetism  of  ro 
mantic  adventure.  It  sustains  in  every  respect  the  repu 
tation  of  Irving."  "  We  may  hope  that  the  gifted  author 
will  treat  'in  like  manner  the  enterprises  and  exploits  o' 
Pizarro  and  Cortes  ;  and  thus  complete  a  series  of  elegai.t 
recitals,  which  will  contribute  to  the  especial  gratifica 
tion  of  Americans,  and  form  an  imperishable  fund  of 
delightful  instruction  for  all  ages  and  countries." — Nat. 
Gazette. 

"  As  he  leads  us  from  one  savage  tribe  to  another,  as 
he  paints  successive  scenes  of  heroism,  perseverance  and 
self-denial,  as  he  wanders  among  the  magnificent  scenes 
of  nature,  as  he  relates  with  scrupulous  fidelity  the 
errors,  and  the  crimes,  even  of  those  whose  lives  are  for 
the  most  part  marked  with  traits  to  command  admira 
tion,  and  perhaps  esteem — everywhere  we  find  him  the 
same  undeviating,  but  beautiful  moralist,  gathering  from 
every  incident  some  lesson  to  present  in  striking  lan 
guage  to  the  reason  and  the  heart." — 1m.  Quarterly  Re 
view. 

"  This  is  a  delightful  volume;  for  the  preface  truly  says 
that  the  expeditions  narrated  and  springing  out  of  the 
voyages  of  Columbus  may  be  compared  with  attempts  of 
adventurous  knights-errant  to  achieve  the  enterprise  left 
unfinished  by  some  illustrious  predecessors.  Washington 
Irving's  name  is  a  pledge  how  well  their  stories  will  be 
told:  and  we  only  regret  that  we  must  of  necessity  defer 
our  extracts  for  a  week."— London  Lit.  Gazette. 

A  CHRONICLE  OF  THE  CONQUEST  OF 
GRENADA.  By  WASHINGTON  IRVING. 
Esq.  In  2  vols. 

"On  the  whole,  this  work  will  sustain  tho  high  fame 
of  Washington  Irving.  It  fills  a  blank  in  the  historical 
library  which  ought  not  to  have  remained  so  long  a 
blank.  The  language  throughout  is  at  once  chaste  and 
animated  ;  and  the  narrative  may  be  said,  like  Spenser's 
Fairy  Queen,  to  present  one  long  gallery  of  splendid  pic 
tures."—  Land.  Lit.  Gazette. 

"Collecting  his  materials  from  various  historians,  and 
adopting  in  some  degree  the  tone  and  manner  of  a  monk 
ish  chronicler,  he  has  embodied  them  in  a  narrative  which 
in  manner  reminds  us  of  the  rich  and  storied  pages  of 
Froissart.  He  dwells  on  the  feats  of  chivalry  performed 
by  the  Christian  Knights,  with  all  the  ardor  which  migh! 
be  expected  from  a  priest,  who  mixed,  according  to  the 
usage  of  the  times,  not  only  in  the  palaces  of  courtly 
nobles,  and  their  gay  festivals,  as  an  honored  and  wel 
come  guest,  but  who  was  their  companion  in  the  camp, 
and  their  spiritual  and  indeed  bodily  comforter  and  as 
sistant  in  the  field  of  battle.— Am.  Quarterly  Review. 

New  Editions  of  the  following  Works  by  the 
same  Author. 

THE  SKETCH  BOOK,  2  vols.  12mo. 

KNICKERBOCKER'S  HISTORY  OF  NEW 
YORK,  revised  and  corrected,  2  vols. 

BRACEBRIDGE  HALL,  OR  THE  HUMOR 
ISTS,  2  vols,  12mo. 

TALES  OF  A  TRAVELLER,  2  vols.  12mo. 


TRAVELS,  ANNUALS,  &c. 


NOTES  ON  ITALY,  during  the  years  1829-30. 
By  REMBRANDT  PEALE.  In  1  vol.  8vo. 

"This  artist  will  gratify  all  reasonable  expectation 
he  is  neither  ostentatious,  nor  dogmatical,  nor  too  mi 
nute;  he  is  not  a  partisan  nor  a  carper;  he  admires  with 
out  servility,  he  criticises  without  malevolence ;  his 
frankness  and  good  humor  give  an  agreeable  color  and 
eflect  to  all  his  decisions,  and  the  object  of  them  ;  his  book 
leaves  a  useful  general  idea  of  the  names,  works,  and  de 
serts,  of  the  great  masters ;  it  is  an  instructive  and  enter 
taining  index." — JVoJ.  Oaz. 

"We  have  made  a  copious  extract  in  preceding  columns 
from  this  interesting  work  of  our  countryman,  Rembrandt 
Peale,  recently  published.    It  has  received  high  comme 
datipn  from  respectable  sources,  which  is  justified  by  the 
portions  we  have  seen  extracted.'' — CommercialJldccrtiser. 

"  Mr.  Peale  must  be  allowed  the  credit  of  candor  and 
entire  freedom  from  affectation  in  the  judgments  he  has 
passed.  At  the  same  time,  we  should  not  omit  to  notice 
the  variety,  extent,  and  minuteness  of  his  examinations. 
No  church,  gallery,  or  collection,  was  passed  by,  and  most 
of  the  individual  pictures  are  separately  and  carefully 
noticed." — Jim.  Quarterly  Review. 

FRAGMENTS  OF  VOYAGES  AND  TRAV 
ELS,  INCLUDING  ANECDOTES  OF  NAVAL 
LIFE  ;  intended  chiefly  for  the  Use  of  Young 
Persons.  By  BASIL  HALL,  Capt.  R.  N.  In 
2  vols.  royal  18mo. 

"  His  volumes  consist  of  a  melange  of  autobiography, 
naval  anecdotes,  and  sketches  of  a  somewhat  discursive 
nature,  which  we  have  felt  much  pleasure  in  perusing." 

"The  title  page  to  these  volumes  indicates  their  being 
chiefly  intended  for  young  persons,  but  we  are  much  mis 
taken  if  the  race  of  gray-beards  will  be  among  the  least 
numerous  of  the  readers  of  '  midshipmen's  pranks  and 
the  humors  of  the  green  room.'  " — Lit.  Gazette. 

A  TOUR  IN  AMERICA.     By  BASIL  HALL, 

Capt.  R.  N.     In  2  vols.  12mo. 

SKETCHES  OF  CHINA,  with  Illustrations 
from  Original  Drawings.  By  W.  W.  WOOD. 
In  1  vol.  12mo. 

"The  residence  of  the  author  in  China,  during  the 
years  1826-7-8  and  9,  has  enabled  him  to  collect  much 
very  curious  information  relative  to  this  singular  people, 
which  he  has  embodied  in  his  work;  and  will  serve  to 
gratify  the  curiosity  of  many  whose  time  or  dispositions 
do  not  allow  them  to  seek,  in  the  voluminous  writings  of 
the  Jesuits  and  early  travellers,  the  information  contained 
in  the  present  work.  The  recent  discussion  relative  to 
the  renewal  of  the  East  India  Company's  Charter,  has 
excited  much  interest;  and  among  ourselves,  the  desire 
to  be  further  acquainted  with  the  subjects  of  'the  Celes 
tial  Empire,'  has  been  considerably  augmet»ted." 

EXPEDITION  TO  THE  SOURCES  OF  THE 
MISSISSIPPI,  Executed  by  order  of  the 
Government  of  the  United  States.  By  MA 
JOR  S.  H.  LONG.  In  2  vols.  8vo.  With  Plates. 

HISTORICAL,  CHRONOLOGICAL,  GEO 
GRAPHICAL,  AND  STATISTICAL  AT 
LAS  OF  NORTH  AND  SOUTH  AMERI 
CA,  AND  THE  WEST  INDIES,  with  all 
their  Divisions  into  States,  Kingdoms,  &c. 
on  the  Plan  of  Le  Sage,  and  intended  as  a 
companion  to  Lavoisne's  Atlas.  In  1  vol. 
folio,  containing  54  Maps.  Third  Edition, 
improved  and  enlarged. 


ATLANTIC  SOUVENIR,  FOR  1832. 

This  volume  is  superbly  bound  in  embossed 
leather,  and  ornamented  with  numerous  plates, 
executed  in  the  best  style,  by  the  first  artists. 
No  expense  has  been  spared  in  the  endeavor 


to  render  it  worthy  of  the  purpose  for  which  it 
is  intended. 

EMBELLISHMENTS. — 1.  The  Hungarian  Prin 
cess,  engraved  by  111  man  and  Pillbrow,  from  a 
picture  by  Holmes. — 2.  The  Bower  of  Paphos, 
engraved  by  Ellis,  from  a  picture  by  Martin. — 
3.  The  Duchess  and  Sancho,  engraved  by  Du- 
rand,  from  a  picture  by  Leslie. — 4.  Richard  and 
Saladin,  engraved  by  Ellis,  from  a  picture  by 
Cooper. — 5.  The  Rocky  Mountains,  engraved 
by  Hatch  and  Smilie,  from  a  picture  by 
Doughty. — 6.  Lord  Byron  in  Early  Youth, 
engraved  by  Ellis,  from  a  picture  by  Saunders. 
— 7.  Tiger  Island,  engraved  by  Neagle,  from 
a  picture  by  Stanfield.— 8.  The  Blacksmith, 
engraved  by  Kelly,  from  a  picture  by  Neagle. 
—9.  The  Tight  Shoe,  engraved  by  Kelly,  from 
a  picture  by  Richter. — 10.  Isadore,  engraved 
by  Illman  and  Pillbrow,  from  a  picture  by 
Jackson. — 11.  The  Dutch  Maiden,  engraved 
by  Neagle,  from  a  picture  by  Newton. — 12. 
The  Mother's  Grave,  engraved  by  Neagle,  from 
a  picture  by  Schaffer. 

ATLANTIC  SOUVENIR  FOR  1831. 

EMBELLISHMENTS. — 1.  Frontispiece.  The 
Shipwrecked  Family,  engraved  by  Ellis,  from 
a  picture  by  Burnet. — 2.  Shipwreck  off  Fort 
Rouge,  Calais,  engraved  by  Ellis,  from  a  pic 
ture  by  Stanfield. — 3.  Infancy,  engraved  by 
Kelly,  from  a  picture  by  Sir  Thomas  Law 
rence. — 4.  Lady  Jane  Grey,  engraved  by  Kelly, 
from  a  picture  by  Leslie. — 5.  Three  Score  and 
Ten,  engraved  by  Kearny,  from  a  picture  by 
Burnet. — 6.  The  Hour  of  Rest,  engraved  by 
Kelly,  from  a  picture  by  Burnet. — 7.  The  Min 
strel,  engraved  by  Ellis,  from  a  picture  by  Les 
lie. — 8.  Arcadia,  engraved  by  Kearny,  from  a 
picture  by  Cockerell. — 9.  The  Fisherman's 
Return,  engraved  by  Neagle,  from  a  picture 
by  Collins. — 10.  The  Marchioness  of  Carmar 
then,  granddaughter  of  Charles  Carroll  of  Car- 
rollton,  engraved  by  Illman  and  Pillbrow,  from 
a  picture  by  Mrs.  Mee. — 11.  Morning  among 
;he  Hills,  engraved  by  Hatch,  from  a  picture 
3y  Doughty. — 12.  Los  Musicos,  engraved  by 
Ellis,  from  a  picture  by  Watteau. 

A  few  copies  of  the  ATLANTIC  SOUVE 
NIR,  for  1830,  are  still  for  sale. 


THE  BOOK  OF  THE  SEASONS.  By 
WILLIAM  HOWITT. 

Since  the  publication  of  the  Journal  of  a  Naturalist, 
10  work  at  once  so  interesting  and  instructive  as  the 
Book  of  the  Seasons  has  been  submitted  to  the  public. 
Whether  in  reference  to  the  utility  of  its  design,  or  the 
grace  and  beauty  of  its  execution,  it  will  amply  merit  the 
>opularity  it  is  certain  to  obtain.  It  is,  indeed,  cheering 
and  refreshing  to  meet  with  such  a  delightful  volume,  eo 
full  of  nature  and  truth— in  which  reflection  and  experi- 
;nce  derive  aid  from  imagination— in  which  we  are 
aught  much  ;  but  in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  it  doubt- 
ul  whether  we  have  not  been  amusing  ourselves  all  the 
ime  we  have  been  reading." — New  Monthly  Magazine. 

"  The  Book  of  the  Seasons  is  a  delightful  book,  and 
ecommended  to  all  lovers  of  nature." — Blue  few  ood's  Mag- 
izine. 


EDUCATION. 


J3SSONS  ON  THINGS,  intended  to  improve 
Children  in  the  Practice  of  Observation,  Re 
flection  and  Description,  on  the  System  of 
PESTALOZZI,  edited  by  JOHN  FROST,  A.  M. 
The   publishers    request   the  attention  of 
iachers,  school  committees,  and  all  who  are 
esirous  of  improving  the  methods  of  instruc- 
on,  to  this  work,  which  is  on  a  plan  hitherto 
nattempted  by  any  school-book  in  this  coun- 
ry,  and  which  has  been  attended  with  extra- 
rdinary  success  in  England. 

The  following  remarks  on  the  work  are  ex- 
racted  from  the  "  Quarterly  Journal  of  Edu- 
ation." 

This  little  volume  is  a  'corrected  and  re-corrected'  edi- 
on  of  lessons  actually  given  to  children,  and,  therefore, 
jiossesses  a  value  to  which  no  book  made  in  the  closet 
an  lay  claim,  being  the  result  of  actual  experiment. 
The  work  consists  of  a  number  of  lessons,  divided  into 
ive  series ;  beginning  with  subjects  the  most  easy  and 
elementary,  it  gradually  increases  in  difficulty,  each  suc- 
*ssive  step  being  adapted  to  the  mind  of  the  child  as  it 
icquires  fresh  stores  of  knowledge. 

"  Every  part  of  these  lessons  is  interesting  to  the  child, 
)oth  on  account  of  the  active  operation  into  which  his 
)wn  mind  is  necessarily  called  by  the  manner  in  which 
;he  lessons  are  given  ;  and  also  by  the  attractive  nature 
)f  many  of  the  materials  which  form  the  subject  of  the 
essons.  In  the  first  and  most  elementary  series,  the  pupil 
s  simply  taught  to  make  a  right  use  of  his  organs  of 
lense,  and  to  exercise  his  judgment  so  far  only  as  relates 
lo  the  objects  about  him;  and  accordingly  the  matter 
brought  before  him  at  this  stage,  is  such  that  its  obvious 
properties  can  be  discovered  and  described  by  a  child  who 
has  acquired  a  tolerable  knowledge  of  his  mother  tongue." 

OUTLINES  OF  HISTORY,  from  the  Earliest 
Records  to  the  Present  Time.  Prepared  for 
the  Use  of  Schools,  with  Questions,  by  JOHN 
FROST,  A.  M. 

"  The  main  object  of  the  work  is,  by  giving  a  selection 
of  interesting  and  striking  facts  from  more  elaborate  his 
tories,  properly  and  carefully  arranged,  with  chronological 
tables,  to  render  the  study  of  general  history  less  dry  and 
repulsive  than  it  has  been  heretofore.  This,  we  think  is 
fully  accomplished.  Very  great  care  appears  to  have  been 
bestowed  on  the  selections,  and  in  arranging  the  chrono 
logical  tables,  as  well  as  in  the  classification  of  the  his 
torical  matter  into  parts  and  chapters.  The  work  will 
sufficiently  recommend  itself  to  all  who  examine  it." — 
Sat.  Evening-  Post. 

"To  concentrate  in  one  comparatively  small  volume,  a 
complete  epitome  of  the  entire  history  of  the  world,  an 
cient  and  modern,  so  treated  as  to  present  a  correct  image 
of  it,  would  seem  to  be  an  object  to  be  wished  for,  rather 
than  expected ;  the  '  Outlines  of  History,'  however,  realize 
this  object."—  Asiatic  Journal. 

"  We  consider  that  Mr.  F  has  done  a  service  to  schools 
by  the  time  and  labor  which  he  has  bestowed  upon  this 
work  ;  the  marginal  dates  will  be  found  of  great  service, 
but  the  chapters  of  questions  upon  the  text,  and  upon  the 
maps,  to  illustrate  the  geography  of  the  history,  will  es 
pecially  recommend  the  work  to  the  attention  of  teach 
era."—  U.  S.  Gazette. 

Philadelphia,  July  l()th,  1831. 

"The  'Outlines  of  History,'  I  consider  an  excellent 
class-book  of  general  history  for  the  use  of  schools.  The 
questions  added  by  Mr.  Frost,  are  a  most  valuable  auxili 
ary  for  the  teacher  as'well  as  the  pupil.  I  shall  use  the 
'  Outlines'  in  my  school,  and  cordially  recommend  it  to 
parents  and  teachers.  S.  O.  WALKER." 

Philadelphia,  April  30* h,  1831. 

"DEAR  SIR, — I  have  just  received  a  copy  of  your  edition 
of  the  'Outlines  of  History.'  From  a  cursory  perusal,  I 
am  disposed  to  give  it  a  high  rank  as  a  school-book.  So 
well  satisfied  am  I  with  the  arrangement  and  execution 
of  the  work,  that  I  intend  to  put  it  immediately  into  the 
hands  of  a  class  in  my  own  school. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 
"  MR.  JOHN  FROST."  "  LEVI  FLETCHER. 


FRENCH  AND  SPANISH. 


BY  A.  BOLMAR. 

A  COLLECTION  OF  COLLOQUIAL 
PHRASES  on  every  Topic  necessary  to  main 
tain  Conversation,  arranged  under  different 
heads,  with  numerous  remarks  on  the  peculiar 
pronunciation  and  use  of  various  words — the 
whole  so  disposed  as  considerably  to  facilitate 
the  acquisition  of  a  correct  pronunciation  of 
the  French.  By  A.  BOLMAR.  One  vol.  18mo. 

A  SELECTION  OF  ONE  HUNDRED 
PERRIN'S  FABLES,  accompanied  by  a  Key, 
containing  the  text,  a  literal  and  free  trans 
lation,  arranged  in  such  a  manner  as  to  point 
out  the  difference  between  the  French  and  the 
English  idiom,  also  a  figured  pronunciation  of 
the  French,  according  to  the  best  French  works 
extant  on  the  subject;  the  whole  preceded  by 
a  short  treatise  on  the  sounds  of  the  French 
language,  compared  with  those  of  the  English. 

LES  AVENTURES  DE  TELEMAQUE 
PAR  FENELON,  accompanied  by  a  Key  to 
the  first  eight  books ;  containing  like  the  Fa 
bles — the  Text— a  Literal— and  Free  Trans 
lation  ;  intended  as  a  Sequel  to  the  Fables. 

The  expression  '  figured  pronunciation,'  is  above  em 
ployed  to  express  that  the  words  in  the  Key  to  the  French 
Fables  are  spelt  and  divided  as  they  are  pronounced.  It  is 
what  WALKER  has  done  in  his  Critical  Pronouncing  Dic 
tionary ;  for  instance,  he  indicates  the  pronunciation  of  the 
word  enough,  by  dividing  and  spelling  it  thus,  e-nuf.  In 
the  same  manner  I  indicate  the  pronunciation  of  the  word 
comptaient  thus,  kon-to.  Jls  the  understanding  of  the 
figured  pronunciation  of  WALKER  requires  the  student  to 
be  acquainted  with  the  primitive  sounds  of  the  English  vow 
els,  he  must  likewise,  before  he  can  understand  the  figured 
pronunciation  of  the  French,  make  himself  acquainted  with 
the  20  primitive  sounds  of  the  French  vowels.  This  any 
intelligent  person  can  get  from  a  native,  or  from  anybody 
who  reads  French  well,  in  a  few  hours. 

A  COMPLETE  TREATISE  ON  THE  GEN- 
DERS  OF  FRENCH  NOUNS;  in  a  small 
pamphlet  of  fourteen  pages. 

This  little  work,  which  is  the  most  complete 
of  the  kind,  is  the  fruit  of  great  labor,  and  will 
prove  of  immense  service  to  every  learner. 

ALL  THE  FRENCH  VERBS,  BOTH  REG 
ULAR  AND  IRREGULAR,  in  a  small  volume. 

The  verbs  elre  to  be,  avoir  to  have,  purler  to  speak, 
finir  to  finish,  recevoir  to  receive,  vendre  to  sell,  se 
lever  to  rise,  se  bien  porter  to  be  well,  s'en  aller  to  go 
away,  are  here  all  conjugated  through — affirmatively 
— negatively — interrogatively — and  negatively  and  in 
terrogatively — an  arrangement  which  will  greatly  fa 
cilitate  the  scholar  in  his  learning  the  French  verbs, 
and  which  will  save  the  master  the  trouble  of  explain 
ing  over  and  over  again  what  may  be  much  more 
easily  learned  from  books,  thus  leaving  him  more  time 
to  give  his  pupil,  during  the  lesson,  that  instruction 
which  cannot  be  found  in  books,  but  which  must  be 
learned  from  a  master. 

NEUMAN'S  SPANISH  AND  ENGLISH 
DICTIONARY.  New  Edition,  in  one  voL 
16mo. 


CLASSICAL  LITERATURE. 


INTRODUCTION  TO  THE  STUDY  OF  THE 
GREEK  CLASSIC  POETS,  for  the  use  of 
Young  Persons  at  School  or  College. 

Contents. — General  Introduction ;  Ho 
meric  Questions ;  Life  of  Homer ;  Iliad ; 
Odyssey;  Margites;  Batrachomyomachia ; 
Hymns ;  Hesiod.  By  Henry  Nelson  Cole 
ridge. 

"  Wo  have  been  highly  pleased  with  this  little  volume 
This  work  supplies  a  want  which  we  have  often  painfully 
felt,  and  affords  a  manual  which  we  should  gladly  see 
placed  in  the  hands  of  every  embryo  under-graduate 
We  look  forward  to  the  next  portion  of  this  work  with 
very  eager  and  impatient  expectation." — British  Critic. 

"  Mr.  Coleridge's  work  not  only  deserves  the  praise  of 
clear,  eloquent  and  scholar-like  exposition  of  the  prelim" 
nary  matter,  which  is  necessary  in  order  to  understand 
and  enter  into  the  character  of  the  great  Toet  of  anti 
quity;  but  it  has  likewise  the  more  rare  merit  of  being 
admirably  adapted  for  its  acknowledged  purpose.  It  is 
written  in  that  fresh  and  ardent  spirit,  which  to  the  con 
genial  mind  of  youth,  will  convey  instruction  in  the 
most  effective  manner,  by  awakening  the  desire  of  it. 
and  by  enlisting  the  lively  and  buoyant  feelings  in  the 
cause  of  useful  and  improving  study;  while,  by  its  preg 
nant  brevity,  it  is  more  likely  to  stimulate  than  to  super 
sede  more  profound  and  extensive  research.  If  then,  a 
is  avowedly  intended  for  the  use  of  the  younger  readers 
of  Homer,  and,  as  it  is  impossible  not  to  discover,  with  a 
more  particular  view  to  the  great  school  to  which  the  au 
thor  owes  his  education,  we  shall  be  much  mistaken  if  it 
does  not  become  as  popular  as  it  will  be  useful  in  that 
celebrated  establishment." — Quarterly  Review. 

"  We  sincerely  hope  that  Mr.  Coleridge  will  favor  us 
with  a  continuation  of  his  work,  which  he  promises." — 
Gent.  Mag. 

"  The  author  of  this  elegant  volume  has  collected  a  vast 
mass  of  valuable  information.  To  the  higher  classes  of 
the  public  schools,  and  young  men  of  universities,  this 
volume  will  be  especially  valuable;  as  it  will  afford  an 
agreeable  relief  of  light  reading  to  more  grave  studies,  at 
once  instructive  and  entertaining." — Wesleyan  Methodist 
Magazine. 

ATLAS  OF  ANCIENT  GEOGRAPHY,  con 
sisting  of  21  Colored  Maps,  with  a  complete 
Accentuated  Index.  By  SAMUEL  BUTLER, 
D.  D.,  F.  R.  S.  &c.  Archdeacon  of  Derby. 

By  the  same  Author. 

GEOGRAPHIA  CLASSICA:  a  Sketch  of 
Ancient  Geography,  for  the  Use  of  Schools. 
InSvo. 

Extract  of  a  Letter  from  Professor  Stuart  of 
Andover. 

"  I  have  used  Butler's  Atlas  Classica  for  12  or  14  years, 
and  prefer  it  on  the  score  of  convenience  and  correctness 
to  any  atlas  within  the  compass  of  my  knowledge.  It 
is  evidently  a  work  of  much  care  and  taste,  and  most 
liappily  adapted  to  classical  readers  and  indeed  all  others, 
who  consult  the  history  of  past  ages.  I  have  long  cherish- 
?d  a  strong  desire  to  see  the  work  brought  forward  in  this 
country,  and  I  am  exceedingly  gratified  that  you  have 
carried  through  this  undertaking.  The  beautiful  manner 
in  which  the  specimen  is  executed  that  you  have  sent  m« 
tloes  great  credit  to  engravers  and  publishers.  It  cannot 
be  that  our  schools  and  colleges  will  fail  to  adopt  this 
work,  and  bring  it  into  very  general  circulation.  I  know 
of  none  which  in  all  respects  would  supply  its  place." 

"The  abridged  but  classical  and  excellent  work  of  But 
ler,  on  Ancient  Geography,  which  you  are  printing  as  an 
accompaniment  to  the  maps,  I  consider  one  of  the  most 
attractive  works  of  the  kind,  especially  for  young  persons 
studying  the  classics,  that  has  come  under  my  notice.  I 
wish  you  the  most  ample  success  in  these  highly  useful 
publications." 


MECHANICS,  MANUFACTURES,  &c. 


A  PRACTICAL  TREATISE  ON  RAIL- 
ROADS,  AND  INTERIOR  COMMUNI 
CATION  IN  GENERAL— containing  an 
account  of  the  performances  of  the  different 
Locomotive  Engines  at,  and  subsequent  to, 
the  Liverpool  Contest;  upwards  of  two 
hundred  and  sixty  Experiments  with  Tables 
of  the  comparative  value  of  Canals  and  Rail 
roads,  and  the  power  of  the  present  Locomo 
tive  Engines.  By  NICHOLAS  WOOD,  Colliery 
Viewer,  Member  of  the  Institution  of  Civil 
Engineers,  &c.  8vo.  with  plates. 

"  In  this,  thu  able  author  has  brought  up  his  treatise  to 
the  date  of  the  latest  improvements  in  this  nationally 
important  plan.  We  consider  the  volume  to  be  one  of 
great  general  interest." — Lit.  Oaz. 

"We  must,  injustice,  refer  the  reader  to  the  work 
itself,  strongly  assuring  him  that,  whether  he  be  a  man  of 
science,  or  "one  totally  unacquainted  with  its  technical 
difficulties,  he  will  here  receive  instruction  and  pleasure, 

a  degree  which  we  have  seldom  seen  united  before." — 
Monthly  Rev. 

REPORTS  ON  LOCOMOTIVE  AND  FIXED 
ENGINES.  By  J.  STEPHENSON  and  J. 
WALKER,  Civil  Engineers.  With  an  Ac 
count  of  the  Liverpool  and  Manchester  Rail 
road,  by  H.  BOOTH.  In  8vo.  with  plates. 

MILLWRIGHT  AND  MILLER'S  GUIDE. 
By  OLIVER  EVANS.  New  Edition,  with  ad 
ditions  and  corrections,  by  the  Professor  of 
Mechanics  in  the  Franklin  Institute  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  description  of  an  im 
proved  Merchant  Flour-Mill,  with  engrav 
ings,  by  C.  &  O.  EVANS,  Engineers. 

THE  NATURE  AND  PROPERTIES  OF  THK 
SUGAR  CANE,  with  Practical  Directions 
for  its  Culture,  and  the  Manufacture  of  its 
various  Products;  detailing  the  improved 
Methods  of  Extracting,  Boiling,  Refining, 
and  Distilling ;  also  Descriptions  of  the  Best 
Machinery,  and  useful  Directions  for  the 
general  Management  of  Estates.  By  GEORGE 
RICHARDSON  PORTER. 

'This  volume  contains  a  valuable  mass  of  scientific 
and  practical  information,  and  is,  indeed,  a  compendium 
of  everything  interesting  relative  to  colonial  agriculture 
and  manufacture." — Intelligencer. 

We  can  altogether  recommend  this  volume  as  a  most 
valuable  addition  to  the  library  of  the  home  West  India 
nerchant,  as  well  as  that  of  the  resident  planter." — Lit. 
Gazette. 

"  This  work  may  be  considered  one  of  the  most  valua- 
le  books  that  has  yet  issued  from  the  press  connected 
with  colonial  interests;  indeed, AVC  know  of  no  greater 
service  we  could  render  West  India  proprietors,  than  in 
recommending  the  study  of  Mr.  Porter's  volume." — Spec 
tator. 

"  The  work  before  us  contains  such  valuable,  scientific, 
and  practical  information,  that  we  have  no  doubt  it  will 
find  a  place  in  the  library  of  every  planter  and  person 
connected  with  our  sugar  colonies." — Monthly  Magazine. 

A  TREATISE  ON  MECHANICS.  By  JAMES 
RENWICK,  Esq.  Professor  of  Natural  and 
Experimental  Philosophy,  Columbia  College, 
N.  Y.  In  Bvo.  with  numerous  engravings. 


(Eftemtstrg,  Natural  f^tstorg,  an* 


TOE  CHEMISTRY  OF  THE  ARTS,  on  tfce 
basis  of  GrayJs  Operative  Chemist,  being 
an  Exhibition  of  the  Arts  and  Manufac 
tures  dependent  on  Chemical  Principles, 
with  numerous  Engravings,  by  ARTHUR 
I«  PORTER,  M.  D.  late  Professor  of 
Chemistry,  &,c.  in  the  University  of  Ver 
mont*  In  8vo*  With  numerous  Plates* 

The  popular  and  valuable  English  work  of  Mr. 
ray,  which  forms  the  groundwork  of  the  present 
olume,  was  published  in  London  in  1829,  and  de- 
gned  to  exhibit  a  systematic  and  practical  view  of  the 
umerous  Arts  and  Manufactures  which  involve  the 
Dplication  of  Chemical  Science.  The  author  himself, 
skilful,  manufacturing,  as  well  as  an  able,  scientific 
emist,  enjoying  the  multiplied  advantages  afforded 
/•the  metropolis  of  the  greatest  manufacturing  nation 

earth,  was  eminently  qualified  for  so  arduous  an 
odertaking,  and  the  popularity  of  the  work  in  Eng- 
nd,  as  well  as  its  intrinsic  merits,  attest  the  fidelity 
id  success  with  which  it  has  been  executed.  In 
e  work  now  offered  to  the  American  public,  the 
actical  character  of  the  Operative  Chemist  has  been 
eserved,  and  much  extended  by  the  addition  of  a 
eat  variety  of  original  matter,  by  numerous  correc- 
>ns  of  the  original  text,  and  the  adaptation  of  the 
hole  to  the  state  and  wants  of  the  Arts  and  Manu- 
ctures  of  the  United  States.  Among  the  most  con- 
derable  additions  will  be  found  full  and  extended 
eatises  on  the  Bleaching  of  Cotton  and  Linen,  on  the 
arious  branches  of  Calico  Printing,  on  the  Manufac- 
re  of  the  Chloride  of  Lime,  or  Bleaching  Powder, 
id  numerous  Staple  Articles  used  in  the  Arts  of 
ying,  Calico  Printing,  and  various  other  processes 

Manufacture,  such  as  the  Salts  of  Tin,  Lead,  Man- 
nese,  and  Antimony;  the  most  recent  Improve- 
ents  on  the  Manufacture  of  the  Muriatic,  Nitric, 
ad  Sulphuric  Acids,  the  Chromates  of  Polash,  the 
test  information  on  the  comparative  Value  of  Dif- 
rent  Varieties  of  Fuel,  on  the  Construction  of 
oves,  Fire-Places,  and  Stoving  Rooms,  on  the  Ven 
ation  of  Apartments,  &c.  &c.  The  leading  object 
as  been  to  improve  and  extend  the  practical  charac- 
r  of  the  Operative  Chemist,  and  to  supply,  as  the 
ublishers  flatter  themselves,  a  deficiency  which  is 
It  by  every  artist  and  manufacturer,  whose  processes 
.volve  the  principles  of  chemical  science,  the  want 
~a  Systematic  Work  which  should  embody  the  most 
ecent  improvements  in  the  chemical  arts  and  manu- 
ictures,  whether  derived  from  the  researches  of  sci- 
ntific  men,  or  the  experiments  and  observations  of 
le  operative  manufacturer  and  artisans  themselves. 


HEMICAL  MANIPULATION.  Instruction 
to  Students  on  the  Methods  of  perform 
ing  Experiments  of  Demonstration  or 
Research,  with  accuracy  and  success.  By 
MICHAEL  FARADAY,  F.  R.  S.  First 
American,  from  the  second  London  edi 
tion,  with  Additions  by  J.  K.  MITCHELL, 
M.D. 

."  After  a  very  careful  perusal  of  this  work,  we  strenu 
msly  recommend  it,  as  containing  the  most  complete  and 
ixcellent  instructions  for  conducting  chemical  experi 
•nents.  There  are  few  persons,  however  great  their  ex 
>erience,  who  may  not  gain  information  in  many  impor 
ant  particulars:  and  for  ourselves,  we  beg  most  unequiv 
»cally  to  acknowledge  that  we  have  acquired  many  new 
ind  important  hints  on  subjects  of  even  every-day  occur 
•ence." — Philosophical  Mag. 

"  A  work  hitherto  exceedingly  wanted  in  the  labora 
.ory,  equally  useful  to  the  proficient  and  to  the  student 
ind  eminently  creditable  to  the  industry  and  skill  of  the 
uithor,  and  to  the  school  whence  it  emanates." — Jour 
tal  of  Science  and  Jlrts. 


GEOLOGICAL  MANUAL,  by  H.  T.  De  la 
Beche,  F.  R.  S.,  F.  G.  S.,  Mem.  Geol.  Soc. 
of  France.  In  8vo.  With  104  Wood  Cuts. 


ELEMENTS  OF  PHYSICS,  OR  NATURAL 
PHILOSOPHY,  GENERAL  AND  MEDI 
CAL,  explained  independently  of  TECH 
NICAL  MATHEMATICS,  and  containing 
New  Disquisitions  and  Practical  Sugges 
tions.  By  NEILL  ARNOTT,  M.  D.  Second 
American  from  the  fourth  London  edition, 
with  Additions  by  ISAAC  HAYS,  M.  D. 

"  Dr.  Arnott's  work  has  done  for  Physics  aa  much  as 
Locke's  Essay  did  for  the  science  of  mind." — London  Uni 
versity  Magazine. 

We  may  venture  to  predict  that  it  will  not  be  surpass- 
ed." — Times. 

Dr.  A.  has  not  done  less  for  Physics  than  Blackstone 
did  for  the  Law." — Morning  Herald. 

Dr.  A.  has  made  Natural  Philosophy  as  attractive  aa 
3uffon  made  Natural  History." — French  Critic. 

A  work  of  the  highest  class  among  the  productions  of 
mind." — Courier. 

We  regard  the  style  and  manner  as  quite  admirable." 
— Morning  Chronicle. 

"  As  interesting  as  novel-reading." — Athenaeum. 
"  Never  did  philosophic  hand  wield  a  pen  more  calcu- 
ated  to  win  men  to  be  wise  and  good." — Edinburgh  Ob 
server. 

Of  this  valuable,  or  we  might  say,  invaluable  work, 
a  second  edition  has  been  speedily  demanded  by  the  pub 
ic  voice." — Lit.  Oaz. 

A  FLORA  OF  NORTH  AMERICA,  with 
108  colored  Plates.  By  W.  P.  C.  BARTON, 
M.  D.  In  3  vols.  4to. 

ARNOTT'S  ELEMENTS  OF  PHYSICS. 
Vol.  II.  Part  I.  Containing  Light  and  Heat. 

'  Dr.  Arnott's  previous  volume  has  been  so  well  receiv 
ed,  that  it  has  almost  banished  all  the  flimsy  productions 
called  popular,  which  falsely  pretend  to  strip  science  of 
its  mysterious  and  repulsive  aspect,  and  to  exhibit  a  holy- 
day  apparel.  The  success  of  such  a  work  shows  most 
clearly  that  it  is  plain,  but  sound  knowledge  which  the 
public  want." — Monthly  Review. 

AMERICAN  ORNITHOLOGY,  OR  NATU 
RAL  HISTORY  OF  BIRDS,  INHABITING 
THE  UNITED  STATES,  by  CHARLES  Lu- 
CIEN  BONAPARTE;  designed  as  a  continua 
tion  of  Wilson's  Ornithology,  Vols.  I.  II. 
and  III. 

*%*  Gentlemen  who  possess  Wilson,  and  are  de 
sirous  of  rendering  the  work  complete,  are  informed 
that  the  edition  of  this  work  is  very  small,  and  that 
but  a  very  limited  number  of  copies  remain  unsold. 
Vol.  IV.  iii  the  Press. 

A  DISCOURSE  ON  THE  REVOLUTIONS  OF 
THE  SURFACE  OF  THE  GLOBE  AND  THE 
CHANGES  THEREBY  PRODUCED  IN  THE  ANI 
MAL  KINGDOM.  By  BARON  G.  CUVIER. 

Translated  from  the  French,  with  Illustra 
tions  and  a  Glossary.  In  12mo.  With  Plates. 

'  One  of  the  most  scientific  and  important,  yet  plain 

and  lucid  works,  which  adorn  the  age Here  is  vast 

aid  to  the  reader  interested  in  the  study  of  nature,  and 
the  lights  which  reason  and  investigation  have  thrown 
upon  the  formation  of  the  universe." — JVejc  Monthly  Mag 
azine. 


PHYSIOLOGICAL,  MEDICINE  AtfD  ANATOMY. 


HISTORY  OF  CHRONIC  PHLEGMASLE, 
OR  INFLAMMATIONS,  founded  on  Clin 
ical  Experience  and  Pathological  Anatomy, 
exhibiting  a  View  of  the  different  Varieties 
and  Complications  of  these  Diseases,  with 
their  various  Methods  of  Treatment  By 
F.  J.  V.  BROUSSAIS,  M.  D.  Translated  from 
the  French  of  the  fourth  edition,  by  ISAAC 
HAYS,  M.  D.  and  R.  EGLESFELD  GRIFFITH, 
M.  D.  Members  of  the  American  Philosoph 
ical  Society,  of  the  Academy  of  Natural 
Science,  Honorary  Members  of  the  Phila 
delphia  Medical  Society,  &c.  &c.  In  2  vols. 
8vo. 

EXAMINATION  OF  MEDICAL  DOC 
TRINES  AND  SYSTEMS  OF  NOSOL 
OGY,  preceded  by  Propositions  containing 
the  Substance  of  Physiological  Medicine, 
by  F.  J.  V.  BROUSSAIS,  Officer  of  the  Royal 
Order  of  the  Legion  of  Honor ;  Chief  Phy 
sician  and  First  Professor  in  the  Military 
Hospital  for  Instruction  at  Paris,  &c.  Third 
edition.  Translated  from  the  French,  by 
ISAAC  HAYS,  M.  D.  and  R.  E.  GRIFFITH, 
M.  D.  In  2  vols.  8vo.  In  the  press. 

A  TREATISE  ON  PHYSIOLOGY,  Applied 
to  PATHOLOGY.  By  F.  J.  V.  BROUSSAIS,  M.  D. 

Translated  from  the  French,  by  Drs.  BELL 
and  LA  ROCHE.  8vo.  Third  American  edi 
tion,  with  additions. 

"  We  cannot  too  strongly  recommend  the  present  work 
to  the  attention  of  our  readers,  and  indeed  of  all  those 
who  wish  to  study  physiology  as  it  ought  to  be  studied, 
in  its  application  to  the  science  of  disease."  "We  may 
safely  say  that  he  has  accomplished  his  task  in  a  most 
masterly  manner,  and  thus  established  his  reputation  a 
a  most  excellent  physiologist  and  profound  pathologist." 
— North  American  Mcd.  and  Surg.  Journ.  Jan.  1827. 

THE  PRINCIPLES  AND  PRACTICE  OF 
MEDICINE.  By  SAMUEL  JACKSON,  M.  D. 

Adjunct  Professor  of  the  Institutes  and  Prac 
tice  of  Mecicine  in  the  University  of  Penn 
sylvania.  8vo. 

THE  PRACTICE  OF  MEDICINE,  upon  the 
Principles  of  the  Physiological  Doctrine. 
By  J.  G.  COSTER,  M.  D,  translated  from 
the  French. 

AN  EPITOME  OF  THE  PHYSIOLOGY, 
GENERAL  ANATOMY,  AND  PATHOL 
OGY  OF  BICHAT.  By  THOMAS  HENDER 
SON,  M.  D.  Professor  of  the  Theory  and 
Practice  of  Medicine  in  Columbia  College, 
Washington  City.  8vo. 

"  The  Epitome  of  Dr.  Henderson  ought  and  must  find  a 
place  in  the  library  of  every  physician  desirous  of  useful 
knowledge  for  himself,  or  of  bc-ins  instrumental  in  im 
parting  it  to  others,  whose  studies  he  is  expected  to  super 
intend.''—^.  A.  Mcd.  and  Surg.  Journ.  No.  15. 

A  TREATISE  ON  FEVER,  considered  in  the 
spirit  of  the  new  medical  Doctrine.  By  J. 
B.  BOISSEAU.  Translated  from  the  French. 
In  the  Press. 


DIRECTIONS  FOR  MAKING  ANATOM 
ICAL  PREPARATIONS,  formed  on  th< 
basis  of  Pole,  Marjolin  and  Breschet,  an< 
including  the  new  method  of  Mr.  Swan,  b] 
USHER  PARSONS,  M.  D.  Professor  of  Anatom] 
and  Surgery.  In  1  Vol.  8vo.  with  plates.  " 

A  TREATISE  ON  PATHOLOGICAI 
ANATOMY.  By  WILLIAM  E.  HORNEB 
M.  D.  Adj.  Prof,  of  Anatomy  in  the  Univer 
sity  of  Pennsylvania. 

"We  can  conscientiously  commend  it  to  the  members  o 
the  profession,  as  a  satisfactory,  interesting,  and  instrirt 
tive  view  of  the  subjects  discussed,  and  as  well  adapte 
to  aid  them  in  forming  a  correct  appreciation  of  the  die 
eased  conditions  they  are  called  on  to  relieve." — America: 
Journal  of  the  Medical  Sciences,  JVo.  9. 

By  the  same  Author. 

A  TREATISE  ON  SPECIAL  AND  GENERAI 
ANATOMY.  Second  edition,  revised  an< 
corrected,  in  2  Vols.  8vo. 

LESSONS   IN   PRACTICAL  ANATOMY 

for  the  use  of  Dissectors.  2d  edition,  in  ] 
Vol.  8vo. 

SYSTEM  OF  ANATOMY,  for  the  use  of  Stu 
dents  of  Medicine.  By  CASPAR  WISTAB 
Fifth  edition,  revised  and  corrected,  by  W 
E.  HORNER,  Adjunct  Professor  of  Anatom; 
in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  In  ! 
Vols.  8vo. 

ELEMENTS  OF  GENERAL   ANATOM1 

or  a  description  of  the  Organs  comprising 
the  Human  Body.  By  P.  A.  BECLARD,  Pro 
fessor  of  Anatomy  to  the  Faculty  of  Medi 
cine  at  Paris.  Translated  by  J.  TOGNO. 

TREATISE  ON  SURGICAL  ANATOMY 
By  ABRAHAM  COLLES,  Professor  of  Anatonr 
and  Surgery,  in  the  Royal  College  of  Sur 
geons  in  Ireland,  &c.  Second  Americai 
edition,  with  notes  by  J.  P.  HOPKINSON,  De 
monstrator  of  Anatomy  in  the  University  o; 
Pennsylvania,  &c.  &c. 

A  TREATISE  ON  PATHOLOGICAI 
ANATOMY.  By  E.  GEDDINGS,  M.  D.  Pro 

fessor  of  Anatomy  in  the  Medical  College  ol 
South  Carolina.  In  2  vols.  8vo.  (In  th< 
press.) 

ELEMENTS  OF  MYOLOGY.     By  E.  GED 

DINGS,  M.  D.  illustrated  by  a  series  of  beau 

tiful  Engravings  of  the  Muscles  of  the  Hu 

man  Body,  on  a  plan  heretofore  unknowr 

in  this  country.     In  the  press. 

This  work,  in  addition  to  an  ample  and  accuraU 

description  of  the  general  and  special  anatomy  of  tb< 

muscular  system,  will  comprise  illustrations  of  th< 

subject  from  comparative  anatomy  and   physiology 

with  an  account  of  the  irregularities,  variations  anc 

anomalies,  observed  by  the  various  ancient  and  mod 

ern  anatomists,  down  to  the  present  time. 


MEDICINE!  AND  SURGERY. 


V  TREATISE  ON  FEVER.  BY  SOUTHWOOD 
SMITH,  M.  D.,  Physician  to  the  London 
Fever  Hospital. 

1  No  work  has  been  more  lauded  by  the  Reviews  than 
he  Treatise  on  Fevers,  by  Southwood  Smith.  Dr.  John- 
on,  the  editor  of  the  Medico-Chirurgical  Review,  says, 
It  is  the  best  we  have  ever  perused  on  the  subject  of 
ever,  and  in  our  conscience,  we  believe  it  the  best  that 
ver  flowed  from  the  pen  of  physician  in  any  age  or  in 
ny  country.'  " — Am.  Med.  Journ. 

^N  ESSAY  ON  REMITTENT  AND  INTER 
MITTENT  DISEASES,  including  generic- 
ally  Marsh  Fever  and  Neuralgia — compris 
ing  under  the  former,  various  Anomalies, 
Obscurities,  and  Consequences,  and  under  a 
new  systematic  View  of  the  latter,  treating 
of  Tic  Douloureux,  Sciatica,  Headache, 
Ophthalmia,  Toothache,  Palsy,  and  many 
other  Modes  and  Consequences  of  this  gene 
ric  Disease ;  by  JOHN  MACCULLOCH,  M.  D., 
F.  R.  S.  &c.  &c. 

"  In  rendering  Dr.  Macculloch's  work  more  accessible 
to  the  profession,  we  are  conscious  that  we  are  doing  the 
state  some  service."— Med.  Chir.  Review. 

"  We  most  strongly  recommend  Dr.  Macculloch's  trea 
tise  to  the  attention  of  our  medical  brethren,  as  present 
ing  a  most  valuable  mass  of  information,  on  a  most  im 
portant  subject." — JV.  A.  Med.  and  Surg.  Journal. 

A  PRACTICAL  SYNOPSIS  OF  CUTANE 
OUS  DISEASES,  from  the  most  celebrated 
Authors,  and  particularly  from  Documents 
afforded  by  the  Clinical  Lectures  of  Dr. 
Biett,  Physician  to  the  Hospital  of  St.  Louis, 
Paris.  By  A.  CAZENAVE,  M.  D.  and  H.  E. 

SCHEDEL,  M,  D. 

"  We  can  safely  recommend  this  work  to  the  attention 
of  practitioners  as  containing  much  practical  informa 
tion,  not  only  on  the  treatment,  but  also  on  the  causes 
of  cutaneous  affections,  as  being  in  fact  the  best  treatise 
on  diseases  of  the  skin  that  has  ever  appeared."— Ameri 
can  Journ  al  oft  he  Medical  Sciences,  No.  5. 

SURGICAL  MEMOIRS  OF  THE  RUSSIAN 
CAMPAIGN.  Translated  from  the  French 
of  Baron  LARREY. 

LECTURES  ON  INFLAMMATION,  exhib 
iting  a  view  of  the  General  Doctrines,  Pa- 
tholoo-ical  and  Practical,  of  Medical  Sur 
gery.  By  JOHN  THOMPSON,  M.  D.,  F.  R.  S.  E. 
Second  American  edition. 

THE  INSTITUTES  AND  PRACTICE  OF 
SURGERY ;  being  the  Outlines  of  a  Course 
of  Lectures.  By  W.  GIBSON,  M.  D.  Profes 
sor  of  Surgery  in  the  University  of  Pennsyl 
vania.  3d  edition,  revised,  corrected,  and 
enlarged.  In  2  vols.  8vo. 

PRINCIPLES  OF  MILITARY  SURGERY, 
comprising  Observations  on  the  Arrange 
ments,  Police,  and  Practice  of  Hospitals, 
and  on  the  History,  Treatment,  and  Anoma 
lies  of  Variola  and  Syphilis ;  illustrated  with 
cases  and  dissections.  By  JOHN  HENNEN, 
M.  D.,  F.  R.  S.  E.  Inspector  of  Military 
Hospitals — first  American  from  the  third 
London  edition,  with  the  Life  of  the  Author, 
by  his  son,  DR.  JOHN  HENNEN. 

"The  value  of  Dr.  Hennen's  work  is  too  well  apprec 
ated  to  need  any  praise  of  ours.  We  were  only  required 
then,  to  bring  the  third  edition  before  the  notice  of  our 
readers;  and  having  done  this,  we  shall  merely  add,  that 
the  volume  merits  a  place  in  every  library,  and  that  no 
military  surgeon  ought  to  be  without  it." — Medical  Oat 


AMERICAN  JOURNAL*  OF  THE  MEDICAL 

SCIENCES. 
Published  Quarterly. 

And  supported  by  the  most  distinguished  Physicians 
in  the  United  states,  among  which  are  Professors 
Bigelow,  Channing,  Chapman,  Coxe,  De  Butts,  De- 
wees,  Dickson,  Dudley,  Francis,  Gibson,  Hare, 
Henderson,  Homer,  Hosack,  Jackson,  Macneven, 
Mott,  Mussey,  Physick,  Potter,  Sewall,  Warren, 
and  Worthington ;  Drs.  Daniel!,  Drake,  Emerson, 
Fearn,  Geddings,  Griffith,  Hale,  Hays,  Hayward, 
Ives,  Jackson,  Moultrie,  Ware,  and  Wright.  It  is 
published  punctually  on  the  first  of  November, 
February,  May,  and  August.  Each  No.  contains 
about  2»0  large  8vo.  pages,  and  one  or  more  plates 
— being  a  greater  amount  of  matter  than  is  fur 
nished  by  any  other  Medical  Journal  in  the  United 
States.  Price  $5  per  annum. 

The  following  Extracts  show  the  estimation 
in  which  this  Journal  is  held  in  Europe : — 

Several  of  the  American  Journals  are  before  us.  *  *  * 
Of  these  the  American  Journal  of  the  Medical  Sciences 
s  by  far  the  better  p?rrodieal ;  it  is,  indeed,  the  best  of  the 
rans-atlantic  medical  publications  ;  and,  to  make  a  com- 
jarison  nearer  home,  is  in  most  respects  superior  to  the 
jreat  majority  of  European  works  of  the  same  descrip- 
ion.1'—  The  Lancet,  Jan.  1831. 

"  We  need  scarcely  refer  our  esteemed  and  highly  emi 
nent  cotemporary,  {The  American  Journal  of  the  Medical 
Sciences,}  from  whom  we  quote,  to  our  critical  remarks 
on  the  opinions  of  our  own  countrymen,  or  to  the  princi 
ples  which  influence  us  in  the  discharge  of  our  editorial 
duties."  "  Our  coprous  extracts  from  his  unequalled  pub- 
cation,  unnoticing  multitudes  of  others  which  come  be 
fore  us,  are  the  best  proof  of  the  esteem  which  we  enter 
tain  for  his  talents  and  abilities." — London  Medical  and 
Surgical  Journal,  March,  1830. 

The  American  Journal  of  the  Medical  Sciences  is  one 
of  the  most  complete  and  best  edited  of  the  numerous 
periodical  publications  of  the  United  States." — Bulletin 
des  Sciences  Medicales,  Tom.  XIV. 

PATHOLOGICAL  AND  PRACTICAL  RE 
SEARCHES  ON  DISEASES  OF  THE  BRAIN 
AND  SPINAL  CORD.  By  JOHN  ABERCROM- 
BIE,  M.  D. 

'  We  have  here  a  work  of  authority,  and  one  which 
does  credit  to  the  author  and  his  country." — North  Amer. 
Med.  and  Surg.  Journal. 

By  the  same  Author. 

PATHOLOGICAL  AND  PRACTICAL  RE 
SEARCHES  ON  DISEASES  OF  THE  STO 
MACH,  THE  INTESTINAL  CANAL,  THE 

LIVER,     AND     OTHER     VISCERA    OF    THE 

ABDOMEN. 

"We  have  now  closed  a  very  long  review  of  a  very 
valuable  work,  and  although  we  have  endeavored  to  con 
dense  into  our  pages  a  great  mass  of  important  matter, 
we  feel  that  our  author  has  not  yet  received  justice."— 
Medico-  Chirurgical  Review. 

A  RATIONAL  EXPOSITION  OF  THE 
PHYSICAL  SIGNS  OF  DISEASES  OF 
THE  LUNGS  AND  PLEURA;  Illustrating 
their  Pathology  and  facilitating  their  Diag 
nosis.  By  CHARLES  J.  WILLIAMS,  M.  D.  In 
8vo.  with  plates. 
"  If  we  are  not  greatly  mistaken,  it  will  lead  to  a  better 

understanding,  and  a  more  correct  estimate  of  the  value 

of  auscultation,  than  any  thing  that  has  yet  appeared." 

— Am.  Med.  Journal. 

MANUAL  OF  THE  PHYSIOLOGY  OF  MAN ; 

or  a  concise  Description  of  the  Phenomena 
of  his  Organization.  By  P.  HUTIN.  Trans 
lated  from  the  French,  with  Notes,  by  J. 
TOONO.  In  12mo. 


MEDICINE. 


THE  PRACTICE  OF  PHYSIC.    By  W.  P. 

DEWEES,  M.  D.  Adjunct  Professor  of  Mid 

wifery,  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 

2  Vols.  8vo. 

;i  We  have  no  hesitation  in  recommending  it  as  deci 
dedly  one  of  the  best  systems  of  medicine  extant.  The 
tenor  of  the  work  in  general  reflects  the  highest  honor  on 
Dr.  Devvees's  talents,  industry,  and  capacity  for  the  exe 
cution  of  the  arduous  task  which  he  had  undertaken.  It 
is  one  of  the  most  able  and  satisfactory  works  which  mod 
ern  times  have  produced,  and  will  be  a  standard  authori 
ty." — London  Med.  and  Surg.  Journal,  Aug.  1830. 

DEWEES  ON  THE    DISEASES  OF  CHIL 
DREN.  4th  ed.  In  8vo. 

The  objects  of  this  work  are,  1st,  to  teach  those  who 
have  the  charge  of  children,  either  as  parent  or  guar 
dian,  the  most  approved  methods  of  securing  and  im 
proving  their  physical  powers.  This  is  attempted  by 
pointing  out  the  duties  which  the  parent  or  the  guar 
dian  owes  for  this  purpose,  to  this  interesting,  but 
helpless  class  of  beings,  and  the  manner  by  which 
their  duties  shall  be  fulfilled.  And  2d,  to  render 
available  a  long  experience  to  these  objects  of  our 
affection  when  they  become  diseased.  In  attempting 
this,  the  author  has  avoided  as  much  as  possible, 
"  technicality ;"  and  has  given,  if  he  does  not  flatter 
himself  too  much,  to  each  disease  of  which  he  treats, 
its  appropriate  and  designating  characters,  with  a 
fidelity  that  will  prevent  any  two  being  confounded 
together,  with  the  best  mode  of  treating  them,  that 
either  his  own  experience  or  that  of  others  has  sug- 


DE WEES  ON  THE  DISEASES  OF  FEMALES. 
3d  edition,  with  Additions.  In  8vo. 

A  COMPENDIOUS  SYSTEM  OF  MID 
WIFERY;  chiefly  designed  to  facilitate  the 
Inquiries  of  those  who  may  be  pursuing  this 
Branch  of  Study.  In  8vo.  with  13  Plates.  5th 
edition,  corrected  and  enlarged.  By  W.  P. 
DEWEES,  M.  D. 

THE  ELEMENTS  OF  THERAPEUTICS 
AND  MATERIA  MEDIC  A.  By  N.  CHAP 
MAN,  M.  D.  2  vols.  8vo.  5th  edition,  cor 
rected  and  revised. 

MANUAL  OF  PATHOLOGY:  containing 
the  Symptoms,  Diagnosis,  and  Morbid  Char 
acter  of  Diseases,  &c.  By  L.  MARTINET. 
Translated,  with  Notes  and  Additions,  by 
JONES  QUAIN.  Second  American  Edition, 
12mo. 

"  We  strongly  rorr  nunond  M.  Martinet's  Manual  to  the 
profession,  and  espvially  to  students;  if  the  latter  wish 
to  study  diseases  to  advantage,  they  should  always  have 
it  at  hand,  both  when  at  the  bedside  of  the  patient,  and 
when  making  post  mortem  examinations." — American 
Journal  of  the  Medical  Sciences,  JVo.  I. 

CLINICAL  ILLUSTRATIONS  OF  FEVER, 

comprising  a  Report  of  the  Cases  treated  at 
the  London  Fever  Hospital  in  1828-29,  by 
Alexander  Tweedie,  M.  D.,  Member  of  the 
Royal  College  of  Physicians  of  London,  &c. 
1  vol.  8vo. 

"In  short,  the  present  work,  conciae,  unostentatious 
as  it  is,  would  have  led  us  to  think  that  Dr.  Tweedie  was 
a  man  of  clear  judgment,  unfettered  by  attachment  to 
any  fashionable  hypothesis,  that  he  was  an  energetic  but 
judicious  practitioner,  and  that,  if  he  did  not  dazzle  his 
readers  with  the  brilliancy  of  theoretical  speculations,  he 
would  command  their  assent  to  the  solidity  of  his  didac 
tic  precepts." — Med.  Chir.  Journal. 


THE  ANATOMY,  PHYSIOLOGY,  AND  DIS- 
EASES  OF  THE  TEETH.  By  THOMAS  BELL, 
F.R.S.,  F.L.S.  &c.  In  1  vol.  8vo.  With  Plates. 

"  Mr.  Bell  has  evidently  endeavored  to  construct  a 
work  of  reference  for  the  practitioner,  and  a  text-booh 
for  the  student,  containing  a  'plain  and  practical  digesl 
of  the  information  at  present  possessed  on  the  subject, 
and  results  of  the  author's  own  investigations  and  expe 
rience.'  "  *  *  *  "  We  must  now  take  leave  of  Mr.  Bell, 
whose  work  we  have  no  doubt  will  become  a  class-booh 
on  the  important  subject  of  dental  surgery." — Medico-Chi- 
rurgical  Review, 

"  We  have  no  hesitation  in  pronouncing  it  to  be  the 
best  treatise  in  the  English  language." — JVoriA  American 
Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  JVo.  19. 

AMERICAN    DISPENSATORY.        Ninth 
Edition,  improved  and  greatly  enlarged.    By 
JOHN  REDMAN  COXE,  M.  D.  Professor  of  Ma- 
teria  Medica  and  Pharmacy  in  the  Univer 
sity  of  Pennsylvania.     In  1  vol.  8vo. 
V  This  new  edition  has  been  arranged  with  spe 
cial  reference  to  the  recent  Pharmacopceias,  published 
in  Philadelphia  and  New- York. 

ELLIS'    MEDICAL    FORMULARY.    The 

Medical  Formulary,  being  a  collection  of 
prescriptions  derived  from  the  writings  and 
practice  of  many  of  the  most  eminent  Phy 
sicians  in  America  and  Europe.  By  BENJAMIN 
ELLIS,  M.  D.  3d.  edition.  With  Additions. 

'We  would  especially  recommend  it  to  our  brethren  in 
distant  parts  of  the  country,  whose  insulated  situations 
may  prevent  them  from  having  access  to  the  many  autho 
rities  which  have  been  consulted  in  arranging  the  mate 
rials  for  this  work." — Phil.  Med.  and  Phys.  Journal. 

MANUAL  OF  MATERIA  MEDICA  AND 
PHARMACY.  By  H.  M.  EDWARDS,  M.  D. 
and  P.  VAVASSEUR,  M.  D.  comprising  a  con 
cise  Description  of  the  Articles  used  in 
Medicine;  their  Physical  and  Chemical 
Properties ;  the  Botanical  Characters  of  the 
Medicinal  Plants ;  the  Formulae  for  the  Prin 
cipal  Officinal  Preparations  of  the  American, 
Parisian,  Dublin,  &c.  Pharmacopoeias;  with 
Observations  on  the  proper  Mode  of  combin 
ing  and  administering  Remedies.  Trans 
lated  from  the  French,  with  numerous  Ad 
ditions  and  Corrections,  and  adapted  to  the 
Practice  of  Medicine  and  to  the  Art  of  Phar 
macy  in  the  United  States.  By  JOSEPH  TOG- 
NO,  M.  D.  Member  of  the  Philadelphia  Med 
ical  Society,  and  E.  DURAND,  Member  of  the 
Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. 

'It  contains  all  the  pharmaceutical  information  that 
the  physician  can  desire,  and  in  addition,  a  larger  mass  of 
information,  in  relation  to  the  properties,  &c.  of  the  dif 
ferent  articles  and  preparations  employed  in  medicine, 
than  any  of  the  dispensatories,  and  we  think  will  entirely 
supersede  all  these  publications  in  the  library  of  the  phy 
sician." — Am.  Journ.  of  the  Medical  Sciences. 

MEMOIR  ON  THE  TREATMENT  OF  VENE 
REAL  DISEASES  WITHOUT  MERCURY, 

employed  at  the  Military  Hospital  of  the 
Val-de-Grace.  Translated  from  the  French 
of  H:M.  J.  Desruelles,  M.  D.  &c.  To  which 
are  added,  Observations  by  G.  J.  Guthrie, 
Esq.  and  various  documents,  showing  the 
results  of  this  Mode  of  Treatment,  in  Great 
Britain,  France,  Germany,  and  America. 
1  vol.  8vo. 


PREPARING  FOR  PUBLICATION 

BY  CAREY  Si  LEA, 

CYCLOPAEDIA 


OF 


PRACTICAL   MEDICINE; 


COMPRISING 


TREATISES  ON  THE  NATURE  AND  TREATMENT  OF  DISEASES, 
MATERIA  MEDICA   AND   THERAPEUTICS, 
MEDICAL  JURISPRUDENCE,  &c. 


EDITED    BY 


FOHN  FORBES,  M.D.  F.R.S. 

Physician  to  the 
Winchester  Infirmary,  &c. 


ALEXANDER  TWEEDIE,  M.D. 

Physician  to  the 

London  Fever  Hospital,  &c. 


JOHN  CONOLLY,  M.  D. 

Professor  of  Medicine  in  the 

London  University  ,&c. 


WITH   THE    ASSISTANCE   OF   THE   FOLLOWING    PHYSICIANS: 

FAMES  APJOHN,  M.D.  M.  R.  I.  A.     Professor  of,  THOMAS  HANCOCK,  M.D    Liverpool,    Member 
Chemistry  to  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons  in  Ire-  j      of  the  Royal  College  of  Physicians,  London, 
land.  CHARLES    HASTINGS,    M.  D.    Physician  to  the 

Worcester  General  Infirmary. 

BISSET  HAWKINS,  M.  D.     Fellow  of  the  Royal 
College  of  Physicians,  Professor  of  Materia  Medica 
and  Therapeutics  in  King's  College,  Dublin. 
J.  HOPE,  M.  D.    Member  of  the  Royal  College  of 

Physicians,  London. 

ARTHUR  JACOB,  M.D.  M.R.I.A.    Professor  of 
Anatomy  to  the  Royal  College  of  Surgeons  in  Ireland. 


FAMES  L.  BARDSLEY,  M.D.  Physician  to  the 
Manchester  Royal  Infirmary,  Dispensary,  &c. 

COWARD  BARLOW,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  Bath 
United  Hospital  and  Infirmary. 

I.  H.  BRABANT,  M.  D.     Devizes. 

'OSEPH  BROWN,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  Sunder- 
land  and  Bishopwearmouth  Infirmary. 

fHOMAS  H.  BURDER,  M.  D.  Member  of  the  Royal 
College  of  Physicians,  London. 

OHN  BL'RNE,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  Carey-street 
Dispensary. 

I.  W.  CARTER,  M.D.  F.R.S.E.  Fellow  of  the 
Royal  College  of  Physicians,  London,  Physician  to 
the  Kent  and  Canterbury  Hospital. 

OHN  CHEYNE,  M.  D.  F.  R.  S.  E.  M.  R.  I.  A. 
Physician- General  to  the  Forces  in  Ireland,  &c.  &c. 

AMES  CLARK,  M.  D.  Physician  to  St.  George's 
Infirmary,  &c.  &c. 

OHNT  CLENDINNING,  M.  D.  Fellow  of  the  Royal 
College  of  Physicians,  London. 

OHN  CRAMPTON,  M.  D.  M.R.I.  A.  King's  Pro 
fessor  of  Materia  Medica,  Physician  to  Stevens's 
Hospital,  &c.  &c.  Dublin. 

iNDREVV  CRAWFORD,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the 
Hampshire  County  Hospital,  Winchester. 

•VILLIAM  CUMIN,  M.  D.  Glasgow. 

AMES  CUSACK,  M.B.  Steevens' Hospital,  Dublin. 

OHN  DARWALL,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  General 
Dispensary,  Birmingham. 

).  D.  DAVIS,  M.  D.  M.R.  S.  L.  Professor  of  Mid 
wifery  in  the  London  University. 

OHN  ELLIOTSON,  M.  D.  F.  R.  S.  Physician  to 
St.  Thomas's  Hospital 

I.  J.  GRAVES,  M.D.  M.R.  I.  A.  King's  Professor 
of  the  Institutes  of  Medicine,  Honorary  Fellow  of 
the  King's  and  Queen's  College  of  Physicians,  Phy- 


ROBERT  LEE,  M.  D.  F.  R.  S.  Physician  to  the 
British  Lying-in  Hospital. 

CHARLES  LOCOCK,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  West 
minster  General  Lyiag-in  Hospital,  &c.  &c. 

H.  MARSH,  M.  D.  M.  R.  I.  A.  Professor  of  the  Prin 
ciples  and  Practice  of  Medicine  to  the  Royal  College 
of  Surgeons  in  Ireland,  &c.  Dublin. 

JONES  QUAIN,  M.  B.  Lecturer  on  Anatomy  and 
Physiology  in  the  Medical  School,  Aldersgate-Street. 

J.  C.  PRICHARD,  M.  D.  F.  R.  S.  Physician  to  the 
Infirmary  and  to  St.  Peter's  Hospital,  Bristol. 

ARCHIBALD  ROBERTSON,  M.D.  Physician  to 
the  Northampton  General  Infirmary. 

P.  M.  ROGET,  M.D.  Sec.  R.  S.  Consulting  Physi 
cian  to  the  Queen  Charlotte's  Lying-in  Hospital  and 
to  the  Northern  Dispensary,  &c.  &c. 

JOHN  SCOTT,  M.  D.  Edinburgh. 

WILLIAM  STOKES,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  Meath 
Hospital. 

WILLIAM  STROUD,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  North 
ern  Dispensary. 

A.  T.  THOMSON,  M.D.  F.  L.  S.  Professor  of  Ma 
teria  Medica  in  the  London  University. 

THOMAS  THOMSON,  M.D.  F.R.S.  L.  &  E.  Re 
gius  Professor  of  Chemistry  in  the  University  of  Glas 
gow,  &c.  &c. 

T.  J.  TODD,  M.D.  Physician  to  the  Dispensary, 
Brighton. 

RICHARD  TOWNSEND,  A.  B.  M.D.  M.  R.I.  A. 
Fellow  of  King  and  Queen's  College  of  Physicians, 
Dublin. 


sician  to  the  Meath  Hospital  and  County  of  Dublin 
Infirmary. 

iEORGE  GREGORY,  M.  D.  Physician  to  the  Small- 
Pox  Hospital. 

vlARSHALL  HALL,  M.D.  F.R.S.E.  Member  of  CHARLES  J.  B.  WILLIAMS,  M.D.  London, 
the  Royal  College  of  Physicians,  London,  &c.  &c.  &c.  &c.  &c. 

To  adapt,  the  above  work  to  the  wants  of  this  country,  the  publishers  have  engaged  the  assistance 
>f  many  of  our  most  eminent  physicians,  and  they  pledge  themselves  that  no  exertion  shall  be  spared 
o  render  it  worthy  of  patronage.  It  will  be  published  in  monthly  numbers,  price  50  cts.  112  pp.  each. 


CYCLOPAEDIA  OF  PRACTICAL  MEDICINE. 

THE  want  of  a  comprehensive  work  on  subjects  connected  with 
PRACTICAL  MEDICINE  including  PATHOLOGY  and  PATHOLOGICAL  ANAT 
OMY,  is  one  which  has  long  existed  in  this  country.  The  Medical 
Dictionaries  heretofore  published,  and  the  Systems  of  Medicine  in 
the  hands  of  the  student,  may  be  said,  without  invidiousness,  to 
fall  very  far  short  of  presenting  the  English  reader  with  such  a 
compendious  survey  of  the  actual  state  of  BRITISH  and  FOREIGN 
MEDICINE  as  is  absolutely  required  by  him.  Some  of  them  are  too 
limited  and  too  superficial  in  their  character;  others  are  too  volu 
minous,  too  intricate  in  their  arrangement,  and  too  indiscriminate 
in  their  contents;  and  all  are  open  to  the  serious  objection  of  fail 
ing  to  represent  the  improvements  and  discoveries  by  which  the 
scientific  labors  of  the  members  of  the  medical  profession,  in  vari 
ous  parts  of  the  world,  have  been  rewarded  since  the  commence 
ment  of  the  present  century. 

It  is  the  object  of  the  CYCLOPEDIA  OF  PRACTICAL  MEDICINE  to 
supply  these  deficiencies,  and  to  meet  the  acknowledged  wants  of 
the  medical  reader.  Such  ample  arrangements  have  been  made 
for  effecting  these  important  objects,  as  enable  the  Editors  to  lay 
before  the  public  the  nature  and  plan  of  a  publication  in  which 
they  have  endeavored,  by  dividing  the  labor  of  a  work  including 
subjects  of  great  diversity,  and  all  of  practical  importance ;  by 
combining  the  valuable  exertions  of  several  contributors  already 
known  to  the  medical  public ;  by  excluding  mere  technical  and 
verbal  explanations,  and  all  superfluous  matter ;  and  by  avoiding 
multiplied  and  injudicious  divisions;  to  furnish  a  book  which  will 
be  comprehensive  without  diffuseness,  and  contain  an  account  of 
whatever  appertains  to  practical  medicine,  unembarrassed  by  dis 
quisitions  and  subjects  extraneous  to  it. 

In  pursuance  of  this  design,  every  thing  connected  with  what  is 
commonly  called  the  PRACTICE  OF  PHYSIC  will  be  fully  and  clearly 
explained.  The  subject  of  PATHOLOGY  will  occupy  particular  at 
tention,  and  ample  information  will  be  given  with  relation  to  PA 
THOLOGICAL  ANATOMY. 

Although  the  excellent  works  already  published  on  the  subjects 
of  MATERIA  MEDICA  and  MEDICAL  JURISPRUDENCE  can  be  so  readily 
and  advantageously  consulted,  as  to  make  the  details  of  those 
branches  of  science  uncalled  for  in  the  Cyclopaedia,  it  belongs  to 
the  proposed  plan  to  comprise  such  general  notices  of  the  applica 
tion  and  use  of  medicinal  substances  as  may  be  conveyed  in  a 


CYCLOPAEDIA  OF  PRACTICAL  MEDICINE. 

general  account  of  each  class  into  which  they  have  been  divide* 
as  of  TONICS,  NARCOTICS,  &c.;  and  to  impart,  under  a  few  head 
as  TOXICOLOGY,  SUSPENDED  ANIMATION,  &c.  such  information  coi 
nected  with  Medical  Jurisprudence  as  is  more  strictly  practical  i 
its  character. 

It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  say  that  a  work  of  this  descriptio 
will  form  a  LIBRARY  of  PRACTICAL  MEDICINE,  and  constitute  a  mos 
(desirable  book  of  reference  for  the  GENERAL  PRACTITIONER,  whos 
[numerous  avocations,  and  whose  want  of  access  to  books,  affor 
lim  little  time  and  opportunity  for  the  perusal  of  many  origins 
ks,  and  who  is  often  unable  to  obtain  the  precise  informatio 
rhich  he  requires  at  the  exact  time  when  he  is  in  greatest  need  of  ii 

The  STUDENT  OF  MEDICINE,  who  is  attending  lectures,  will,  alsc 
>y  means  of  this  work,  be  enabled,  whatever  order  the  lecture 
iay  follow,  to  refer,  without  difficulty,  to  each  subject  treated  o 
[in  the  lectures  of  his  teacher;  and  it  is  presumed  that  Lecturer 
>n  Medicine  will  see  the  advantage  of  recommending  to  thei 
[pupils  a  work  of  highly  respectable  character,  the  composition  o 
[original  writers,  and  which,  it  is  hoped,  will  neither  disappoint  thi 
tdvanced  student  by  its  brevity  and  incompleteness,  nor  perple; 
[those  commencing  their  studies  by  an  artificial  arrangement. 

But,  whilst  the  Editors  have  felt  it  to  be  their  duty  to  prepare  \ 
safe  and  useful  book  of  reference  and  text-book,  it  would  be  doin^ 
injustice  to  those  by  whose  co-operation  they  have  been  honored 
not  to  avow  that  they  have  also  been  ambitious  to  render  thi 
|work  acceptable  and  interesting  to  readers  who  have  leisure  an< 
inclination  to  study  what  may  be  termed  the  PHILOSOPHY  of  MEDI 
[CINE:  whatever  is  truly  philosophical  in  medicine  being  also  useful 
although  the  application  of  the  science  to  the  art  requires  much  re 
flection  and  sound  judgment. — For  the  assistance  of  those  who  desin 
to  pursue  a  regular  course  of  medical  reading,  ample  direction 
will  be  given  when  the  work  is  completed;  and  for  those  who  ma] 
be  anxious  to  prosecute  any  particular  subject  to  a  greater  exten 
[than  the  limits  of  the  Cyclopaedia  permit,  a  list  will  be  given,  in  ai 
JAppendix,  of  the  best  works  relating  to  each. 

The  means  of  accomplishing  an  undertaking  of  the  importance 
[of  which  the  Editors  are  fully  sensible,  will,  doubtless,  be  appre 
[dated  after  an  inspection  of  the  list  of  contributors  who  hav< 
already  promised  their  co-operation.  It  is,  of  course,  desirabl* 
that  a  work  of  this  kind  should  be  characterized  by  unity  of  de 


CYCLOPAEDIA  OF  PRACTICAL  MEDICINE. 

sign,  but,  at  the  same  time,  as  each  author  will,  generally  speak 
ing,  contribute  his  knowledge  and  his  opinions  on  the  subjects 
which  have  occupied  his  chief  attention,  the  superiority  of  the 
whole  performance  to  any  thing  which  the  mere  labor  of  compila 
tion  could  accomplish  will  be  unquestionable.  To  each  important 
article  the  name  of  the  author  will  be  appended. 

The  acknowledged  want  of  such  a  publication,  already  alluded 
to,  and  the  extensive  encouragement  which  Dictionaries  of  a  much 
greater  extent  have  met  with  in  FRANCE  and  GERMANY,  although 
some  of  them  are  very  unequal  as  regards  the  value  of  different 
parts,  and  encumbered  with  much  that  is  absolutely  useless,  afforc 
sufficient  reason  to  hope  for  the  success  of  a  work  in  which  whal 
is  valuable  will,  as  much  as  possible,  be  separated  from  what  i< 
merely  calculated  to  distract  the  attention,  and  to  frustrate  the 
inquiry,  of  those  who  study  the  science  of  medicine  with  a  vie\\ 
of  regulating  and  improving  its  practice. 

In  order  to  insure  this  success,  it  is  the  desire,  and  will  be  th- 
endeavor,  of  the  Editors  to  make  the  CYCLOPAEDIA  OF  PRACTICA 
MEDICINE  not  only  obviously  useful  to  those  for  whom  it  is  mor 
immediately  intended,  but  so  creditable  to  BRITISH  MEDICAL  SCIENC 
as  to  deserve  and  to  obtain  the  patronage  of  all  classes  of  th 
Medical  Profession. 


IN  the  American  edition,  all  interesting  details  on  the  subject; 
of  MATERIA  MEDICA  and  MEDICAL  JURISPRUDENCE,  omitted  in  th< 
original,  will  be  supplied. — Much  new  matter  in  relation  to  AMERI 
CAN  SURGERY  and  MEDICAL  PRACTICE  will  be  introduced ;  and  fo 
this  ample  materials  have  been  promised. — Full  explanations  wil 
be  given  of  all  medical  terms,  especially  those  which  modern  dis 
coveries  have  introduced  into  the  nomenclature  of  the  science,  anc 
without  a  knowledge  of  which,  many  of  the  works  of  the  presen 
day  are  almost  unintelligible. — At  the  termination  of  each  article 
the  most  copious  references  will  be  given  to  the  best  writers  01 
the  subject,  so  as  to  enable  the  student  who  desires  it,  to  pursu< 
his  investigations  with  the  least  trouble  and  the  greatest  advan 
tage. — Finally,  the  whole  work  will  be  carefully  revised,  and  sue! 
additions  made  as  may  tend  to  increase  its  value,  and  to  render  it 
what  it  is  desired  it  should  be — A  COMPLETE  LIBRARY  OF  THE  MEDICAI 
SCIENCES. 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


